Schools to seek non-homestead millage renewal

Apr. 7, 2021  PLYMOUTH EAGLE.

Plymouth Michigan News

“Failure to pass the millage renewal would result in a significant loss in operating revenue for the school district beginning in 2022.”

Voters in the City of Northville and Northville Township will be asked to renew a non-homestead operating millage for the Northville Public Schools on a May 4 ballot.

The ballot question would renew the current millage rate of 19.2383 mills on all non-homestead property for five years, from 2022 to 2026. This millage applies only to non-homestead property such as businesses, rental properties, and second homes. Even though owners of primary residences are not affected, state law requires a district-wide election to approve the operating millage, district officials said.

The current operating millage generates about $10 million annually for Northville schools, representing 16 percent of the overall operating revenues. The money received from the operating millage supports day-to-day operations of the schools, including payment of salaries and benefits, classroom supplies and materials, and student transportation and building maintenance. Failure to pass the millage renewal would result in a significant loss in operating revenue for the school district beginning in 2022, officials noted.

This is not a new tax, administrators stressed. This millage was last approved by voters in November 2011, when voters approved a millage rate of 20.9100 mills. That millage has been reduced to 19.2383 through subsequent Headlee Amendment adjustments and the school district is seeking only to renew the reduced rate of 19.2383 mills.

Additionally, this millage is vital to ensuring the district receives the full per pupil allocation from the state, according to information posted on the district website. In order to receive this full allocation, school districts must levy the statutory maximum operating millage of 18 mills. Although the current ballot proposal requests 19.2383 mills, the district cannot levy more than 18 mills, just as is occurring today.

The remaining 1.2383 mills would serve as a hedge against future Headlee adjustments, thereby ensuring the district can continue to levy 18 mills and receive the full per pupil allocation from the state.

Plymouth Voice.