When is the operating millage proposal on the ballot?
It will likely be placed on the August 6, 2024
Why did this district select this date for the proposal?
By selecting an election date that was already in use (August 6, 2024 is the Primary), the district saved money and had minimal election expenses.
Does this millage impact my property taxes on my home?
This millage applies to non-homestead properties, which are businesses and non-primary residences. If the house that you live in is your primary residence, then no, this millage will not impact your property taxes.
What is the current millage rate on non-homestead properties?
17.6862 mills.
If passed, how many mills will be collected on non-homestead properties?
If passed, 18 mills would be collected on all non-homestead properties instead of the current rate of 17.6862 mills.
When was the last time that the district asked for a non-homestead operational millage?
Votes approved 18 mills on all non-homestead properties in 2014 for 20 years.
If the voters approved 18 mills in 2014, why is the current millage rate 17.6862?
The reason that it is not still at 18 mills is due to the Headlee Rollback, which requires local units of government to reduce the millage rate when annual growth on existing property is greater than the rate of inflation. Property values have increased beyond the rate of inflation over the past few years, which has reduced the millage rate due to the Headlee Rollback.
Why is the district asking for an increase of 3 mills, when only 0.3138 are needed to get back to 18 mills?
The current operating millage goes through 2034. The district is asking for 3 mills to protect against future Rollback during this timeframe. The district is capped at collecting 18 mills on non-homestead properties, so the 3 mill increase serves as a cushion that allows the millage to Rollback over the next 10 years, while at the same time remaining at a collectible 18 mills. (Example: Current millage rate of 17.6862 mills + 3 mills if passed = 20.6862 mills. The district is capped at collecting 18 mills, so 18 mills would be collected in this example. Let's say that the millage passes and the millage rate Rollsback by 0.2 mills next year. 20.6862 mills - 0.2 mill Rollback = 20.4862 mills. The district is capped at collecting 18 mills, so 18 mills would still be collected in this example. In this same scenario, if the millage does not pass: 17.6862 mills - 0.2 mills Rollback = 17.4862 mills. The district would collect 17.4862 mills in this example.) The goal, by asking for 3 mills, is for the district to be able to collect 18 mills on non-homestead properties through the millage’s 2034 expiration without having to come back to the voters every few years to restore it to 18 mills should the millage rate continue to Rollback.
If passed, what would the increase be for a business or non-primary residence assessed at $250,000?
$78.45 per year.
If passed, what increases in revenue would the district see?
Approximately $61,800.
What can the funds be used for?
Operational millages are used for normal school operations such as salaries, benefits, materials, supplies, utilities, etc.
Is this being proposed to pay for the new video scoreboard in the high school football stadium?
No, the video scoreboard project will only move forward after it is fully funded through business sponsorships. Currently, two-thirds of the funds needed for this project have been committed by local businesses. The proposed operational millage is not connected to this project.
What is the actual ballot language?
The following language is subject to chage: This proposal will allow the school district to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in The Sturgis Public School District, St. Joseph County, Michigan, be increased by 3 mills ($3.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 11 years, 2024 to 2034, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2024 is approximately $61,800 (this millage is to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will be levied only to the extent necessary to restore that reduction)?