FAQs:
The Holly Truth
Rumor vs. Reality: What In Holly Is Going On?
Rumor: Council members receive salaries or personal financial benefits from the village budget.
Reality: Council service is not a paid position in the way some imagine. Each council member receives a modest stipend of $900 per year, and none of us have access to credit cards, debit cards, or village cash accounts. Decisions about the budget are made openly and publicly, with full council oversight, and all spending goes through proper approval and audit processes.
Rumor: The village budget is handled behind closed doors without public oversight.
Reality: The budget process is fully transparent and conducted in public. Draft budgets are presented at open meetings, residents have the opportunity to comment, and final budgets must be approved by the council in a public vote. In addition, the village undergoes annual audits to ensure accountability and proper use of funds.
Rumor: The public will not have a voice in decisions about cityhood.
Reality: Any decision on cityhood will ultimately rest with the residents. The council’s role is to study the issue, gather facts, and share information openly. If cityhood moves forward, it cannot happen without a public vote. Community input through meetings, discussions, and the ballot box will guide the process every step of the way.
Rumor: Restoring the Millpond will require new taxes on residents.
Reality: No new tax has been placed on residents for Millpond restoration. The Millpond Committee is actively working with Oakland County to transfer oversight, so that long-term maintenance and repair become the county’s responsibility. At the same time, the village is pursuing grants and outside funding sources. If any proposal in the future were to involve local taxes, it would require full public discussion and council approval at open meetings before moving forward.
Rumor: Village water rates and charges are illegal.
Reality: Water rates are set in accordance with state law and must be based on the actual cost of providing water service. Rates cover expenses such as treatment, infrastructure maintenance, and system improvements. They cannot legally be used as a tax or for unrelated purposes. The village struggled in the past to review tap-in rates and user charges, but will do so regularly going forward to ensure fairness, compliance, and to reduce the burden on residents.
Rumor: The village water supply is unsafe or contaminated.
Reality: The water provided by the Village is tested regularly and meets all state and federal safety standards. Because our community is over 165 years old, some households may face unique maintenance challenges in homeowner plumbing or piping. While the village cannot control the condition of pipes on private property, we do provide resources and guidance to help residents identify and address these concerns. The water leaving our system is safe, and we remain committed to maintaining that standard.
Rumor: The village can afford to install a master water softener for the entire system.
Reality: A master water softener for the village system would be extremely costly to install and maintain, and it would significantly increase operating costs for every resident. It is not financially feasible for a community of our size. Instead, the village ensures the water supply meets all state and federal safety standards and encourages households that want softer water to install private softeners. At the same time, we are always seeking grants and outside funding to improve infrastructure and reduce the burden on residents whenever possible.
Rumor: Village tax dollars are used to pay for Holly’s fireworks.
The fireworks at Holly Days are a gift from the community to the community. They are entirely funded by donations, not by taxes. The celebration is made possible by the generosity of residents, businesses, and organizations who contribute to keeping this tradition alive.
Rumor: Village tax dollars were used to restore and relocate the historic train depot.
The restoration and relocation of the train depot were made possible through donations and grants collected over the past decade. No village tax dollars were used. This project is the result of long-standing community support and outside funding dedicated to preserving Holly’s history.