On the November 4 ballot, voters residing in the districts
of Clare Public Schools, Farwell Area Schools, and Harrison Community Schools
will see a non-homestead millage renewal request for their respective school
district. These are not new taxes, but renewals of existing millages that have
been in place since 1994 as a result of Michigan voters passing Proposal A. The
funds generated help support the operational needs of the districts each year.
A non-homestead
millage does not impact the property taxes on a family’s primary residence; it
only applies to non-homestead properties, such as industrial, commercial, and
some agricultural property and second homes.
The non-homestead millage was established in school
districts across the state following Michigan voters passing Proposal A in
1994. In order for schools to receive the full per-student funding amount from
the state, the district must first levy 18 mills on local non-homestead
property. The state then pays the
district the foundation allowance minus the 18-mill levy. The state assumes
school districts collect 18 mills on non-homestead properties, meaning those
funds would not be replaced should the millage not be renewed.
In Harrison, the millage generates approximately $3.6
million per year, or about 27 percent of the district’s total budget. According
to Harrison Community Schools Superintendent Tom House, “Failure to pass the renewal
of the 18-mill levy on non-homestead property would result in devastating cuts
to school programs in Harrison and the other districts.”
Farwell Area Schools relies on the non-homestead millage to
provide approximately 31 percent of the district’s budget, or close to $3.8
million annually. “Without the funds generated from this millage each year, our
district could not continue to operate,” said Farwell Area Schools
Superintendent Carl Seiter.
For Clare Public Schools, if the non-homestead millage is
not renewed, the district would lose approximately $1.6 million each year,
which equates to around 12 percent of their yearly budget. “The
Clare community is very supportive and they understand just how important this
basic funding source is to our district and their kids,” said Clare Public
Schools Superintendent Doniel Pummell. “Pioneers get things done and lead the
way!”
While the non-homestead millages are expiring in all three
Clare County school districts this year, residents’ votes will solely impact the
school district in which they live.
For a list of frequently asked questions about the
Non-Homestead Millage renewal, please visit your local school district’s
website:
