If university apartment residents want to better their living conditions, the University Apartments’ Council of Residents is their best avenue. But the group needs more money if it stands to raise its voice.

The council is asking its constituents to increase their taxes to the organization from $1.50 to $3 per semester.

Students living in University Village, Spartan Village and Cherry Lane Apartments may vote on the proposal this week as part of a universitywide referendum, which also includes tax bids from The State News and ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government.

The council hasn’t received a tax increase in 12 years.

Council President Jeremy Roark said the organization needs the increase to address complex concerns, such as splitting the cost of a filter system to better the apartments’ water quality, and address community issues, such as adding fitness facilities and computer labs and bringing student organization events to the apartment complexes.

Nearly 1,700 students reside in university apartment complexes - most of whom live with their spouses and children, which puts the total number of residents near 5,000.

A $3 per semester tax isn’t much to ask for and can go a long way in improving life in university apartments. Even with the increase, the council will be forced to maintain a tight and efficient budget, which it has seemed capable of doing prior to asking for the increase.

We hope students living in the university complexes will support the council and vote “yes” on its tax proposal. The extra money will help the council better its voice at MSU to improve its community.