ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor officials are reiterating their commitment to use a potential influx of new tax revenue for pedestrian safety, affordable housing and addressing climate change.

The City Council voted 8-3 Monday night, Sept. 18, to go on record once again spelling out how the city would use potentially $2.5 million per year if a countywide tax is approved on the Nov. 7 ballot.

The main purpose of the proposed 1-mill, eight-year tax, which the county board voted to put on the ballot, is to fund countywide public safety and mental health services, but cities that already have their own police forces would get a partial rebate.

The City Council

stating the city intends to put 20 percent of its rebate toward pedestrian safety, 40 percent toward affordable housing and 40 percent toward climate action.

The new resolution approved Monday night maintains those percentages, while more fully articulating

, including solar initiatives, purchasing electric vehicles for city employees and putting money toward a

that's also being referred to as the Treeline.

It states:

A total of 20% (potentially $500,000 per year) will be applied to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety through the installation of new street lighting in accordance with approved plans, installation of pedestrian-activated signals, filling of sidewalk gaps, construction of protected and/or buffered bicycle facilities (in accordance with approved Transportation and Non-Motorized Master Plans), and funding of trail and other off-road active transportation connections (including the B2B and/or Treeline Trails).

A total 40% (potentially $1 million per year) will be applied to support the construction, renovation, and capital improvements of affordable housing assets (including the Broadway Apartments and Swift Housing Project) and the establishment of a sinking fund to provide for utilities connection fees, environmentally sustainable systems and other infrastructure costs for future projects to effect the goals of the Affordable Housing Needs Assessment (a/k/a Washtenaw County Housing Affordability and Economic Equity Analysis)

A total of 40% (potentially $1 million per year) will be applied to effect the goals of Ann Arbor's Climate Action Plan, including but not limited to funding EnergySmart Ann Arbor efforts in the areas of home audits, education and other programs that serve to improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption, Charge Up Ann Arbor! programs which support electric vehicle charging infrastructure, group buys and fleet conversions, and Solar for All programs providing discounted individual solar purchases for owned residential and commercial properties and community solar offerings.

The resolution had support from Mayor Christopher Taylor and Council Members Zachary Ackerman, Jason Frenzel, Julie Grand, Graydon Krapohl, Chip Smith, Chuck Warpehoski and Kirk Westphal.

It was opposed by Council Members Jack Eaton, Sumi Kailasapathy and Jane Lumm.

Lumm argued it was inappropriate for the council to make such significant spending commitments outside of the city's formal budget process, and she noted there's no mention in the county's ballot language of any of the specific uses the city is proposing.

Council members who supported the resolution argue the city should be upfront with voters and let them know how the money would be used before they go to vote on the proposal on Nov. 7.