DETROIT TRANSIT HISTORY.info: City Code

ARTICLE 7. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH: PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES*
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*State law references: Authority to establish any department that city may deem necessary, MCL
117.4j(1), MSA 5.2083(1).
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CHAPTER 14. TRANSPORTATION*
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*State law references: Authority to establish and maintain a public transportation system, MCL 117.4f,
MSA 5.2079.
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Sec. 7-1401. Department.
The transportation department shall:
1.   Own, maintain, and operate a public transportation system above, on, or below the surface of the
ground, or in any combination thereof, utilizing technology known or to be developed;
2.   Operate the system within the city and to a distance outside the city as permitted by law;
3.   Exercise or recommend the exercise of other functions and powers provided by law or ordinance,
including the specific powers of the city to finance transportation under sections 8-401, 8-503(4), and
8-602 of the Charter.

Sec. 7-1402. Advisory commission.
An advisory commission for transportation, composed of at least five (5) members, shall be created under
section 7-103.

Sec. 7-1403. Intelligence division.
The director of the transportation department may appoint an intelligence division, exempt from article 6,
chapter 5.

Sec. 7-1404. Limitations.
The following limitations shall apply relative to transportation:
1.   The city may not sell or in any way dispose of any property needed to continue the operation of any
city-owned public utility furnishing transportation service, unless approved by majority of city voters voting
on the question at a regular or special election.
2.   The city may not grant any public utility franchise for transportation services which is not subject to
revocation at the will of the city council unless the proposition is first approved by three-fifths ( 3/5) of city
voters voting on the question at a regular or special election.
3.   All contracts, franchises, grants, leases or other forms of transfer in violation of this section shall be
void and of no effect against the city.

NOTE: The following Detroit City Charter Code references were eluded to in the above
references.
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ARTICLE 8. PLANNING AND FINANCIAL PROCEDURES
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CHAPTER 4. PROPERTY TAXATION*
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*State law references: Mandatory subject of taxation, MCL 117.3(f), MSA 5.2073(f); limit on taxation,
MCL 117.5(a), MSA 5. 5.2084(a), see also Mich. Const. 1963, Art. VII, § 21.
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Sec. 8-401. Power.
The city is authorized to levy property taxes at the rate of two percent (2%) of assessed value of all real and
personal property in the city or to such other maximum limit as may be permitted by law.
Included is the power to levy property taxes for public transportation and transit services to the maximum
rate permitted by law.
The subjects of taxation for municipal purposes shall be in accordance with state law.
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CHAPTER 5. BORROWING*
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*State law references: Authority for city to provide for the borrowing of money on the credit of the city and
issuing bonds therefor, for any purpose within the scope of its powers, and establishing a limitation on the
net bonded indebtedness of the city, MCL 117.4, MSA 5.2074.
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Sec. 8-503. Specific kinds of borrowing.
Included within the city's general power are the following specific kinds of borrowing:
4.   Bonds to finance transit facilities. The city may borrow money for public transportation and rapid transit
facilities and may incur obligations and issue bonds therefor to the maximum extent permitted by law.

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CHAPTER 6. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
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Sec. 8-602. Special assessments to finance transit facilities.
Included within section 8-601 is the power to finance any local public improvement or repair for public
transportation or rapid transit facilities through special assessments to the maximum extent permitted by
law.

* Municode.com editor's note:   The 1997 Home Rule Charter of the City of Detroit was adopted by the vote of
the people on August 6, 1996, and became effective January 1, 1997. The 1997 Home Rule Charter supersedes
and replaces the 1974 Home Rule Charter, approved by the voters on Nov. 6, 1973, which was previously set out
herein.
A uniform system of capitalization has been employed and a section analysis has been added for the convenience
of the user and appropriate references have been inserted. Words added for clarity are enclosed by brackets.
Otherwise, the Charter is set out herein as originally adopted by the people.

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