Voters in Auburn Hills recently approved a millage they believed would make their city a better place to live. The millage allowed an increase in taxes to pay for increased fire and police protection. However, because of loose language in the writing of the millage proposal, the Auburn Hills City Council is reallocating the money left over from this millage to build a clubhouse at a city-owned golf course. This appropriation of funding not only runs contrary to the original intent of the millage, but serves to undermine the valuable practice of direct democracy through ballot initiatives and contributes to sagging voter confidence in the integrity of the electoral process.

City officials argue that they do not legally have to spend the money on police and fire protection. Technically, that is indeed the case. Loopholes in the initiative permitted for the redistribution of the millage money in any manner officials saw fit.

Yet, it is hard not to see the injustice inherent in this abuse of the voters' opinion. In this case, voters were allowed to weigh in on a specific issue: the budgets of local police and fire departments. This issue highlights a critical failure with the initiative process as used in much of the country: Often, initiatives and referenda are vaguely worded to mislead and confuse voters. Those who voted did so based on this issue alone, unaware that their tax dollars could in fact be spent in any manner administrators see fit. It is the responsibility of lawmakers to bear this in mind, and respect as solemn the conditions in which taxpayers have consented to see their hard-earned money spent elsewhere.

Governments use initiatives and millages to provide funding for worthwhile causes that would otherwise be subject to budgetary constraints. From additional school funding to improvements in infrastructure, these are means by which the public has a say in what should be given priority with their taxes. When government officials misuse the authority of the voters to implement pet projects, faith in the democratic process is the first casualty. Giving voters the opportunity to weigh in decisively one way or the other on an issue is important, and it is equally important that officials follow through to see that the spirit of ballot initiatives is carried out in concord with the wishes of the voters.

When used properly, the initiative process is an important extension of our system of government. Allowing voters to approve or reject proposed local tax plans can often improve the quality of governance and give citizens additional input into the political process. When officials twist language and use legal manipulations to disregard the clear will of the public, this represents a distinct violation of the public mandate. Voter confidence in the system is the lifeblood of democracy, and we should do all that is necessary to see that it is maintained.