Non-Homestead Renewal

18 Mills Non-Homestead RENEWAL

On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the General Election, voters in the Kentwood Public School District will be asked to consider renewing the current assessment of 18 mills on non-homestead properties.

There are two very important things to understand about this request:

This is a renewal of the current assessment of 18 mills on non-homestead properties. Non-homestead properties are primarily properties that have not been designated as a primary residence
This millage provides approximately 16.9%, or over $18.2 million, of the school district's annual budget.

TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019
General Election

Questions and Answers

The following questions and answers are provided for your information so that you may cast an informed vote.

WHAT IS MEANT BY HOMESTEAD AND NON-HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES?

When Michigan voters passed Proposal A in 1993, Michigan’s property taxes for schools were restructured and reduced. Property was divided into two categories: homestead and non-homestead. A homestead property is your primary residence (the home where you live). Non-homestead properties include land and buildings such as businesses, rental properties and vacation homes that have not been designated as a primary residence.

IS THIS A NEW TAX?

No. This millage has been in place since 1994 with the passage of Proposal A. KPS voters last approved a levy for 18.9718 mills on non-homestead property in May 2009. The current millage expires with the 2019 tax levy.

WHY IS THIS ISSUE ON THE BALLOT NOW?

Under Proposal A, renewal of the 18 mills is required periodically by voters in order for the district to continue collecting this millage. Because our authorization expires in 2019, we need voter approval to continue collecting these dollars, which are crucial in maintaining Kentwood’s educational programs.

HOW WILL THIS AFFECT HOMEOWNERS?

If approved, homeowners will not see an increase in their property taxes. In other words, this millage renewal will not change the taxes on your primary residence. This tax is levied on non-homestead properties only, such as commercial properties and second homes.

HOW MUCH OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOL BUDGET DOES THIS NON-HOMESTEAD MILLAGE FUND?

The current assessment of 18 mills that voters are being asked to approve is used to fund a significant part of the school district’s operating budget. Approximately 16.9%, or over $18.2 million, of the annual budget comes from the 18-mill non-homestead tax assessment.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THIS MILLAGE DOES NOT PASS?

If the request for the renewal of the 18 mills non-homestead were not approved, Kentwood Public Schools would lose more than $18.2 million (16.9%) of funding for the 2019-20 school year and a similar amount each following year. Voter approval is the only way the district can receive these dollars. Losing over $18.2 million of the district’s operating budget would have a major impact on the educational programs offered to students and the community.

WHY IS THE DISTRICT ASKING FOR 18.8033 MILLS, WHEN BY LAW, THE DISTRICT CAN ONLY LEVY 18?

The 1979 Headlee Amendment to the Michigan Constitution added a provision to require a “roll back” in millage rates if the local non-homestead tax base (taxable value) increases more than the rate of inflation. Like most districts in the state, Kentwood Public Schools request that the voters authorize additional mills even though we can only levy 18 mills per year. Thus, if we experience a “Headlee Rollback,” we would not have to have another expensive election to restore the non-homestead tax.

WHAT ABOUT ABSENTEE BALLOTS?

Applications for absentee ballots will be available from your local township or city clerk on or before Saturday, March 23, 2019.

WHEN IS THE ELECTION?

Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Last day to register to vote in this election is April 22, 2019.

WHERE DO I VOTE?

Voting will take place at the polling locations which have been designated by your local township/city clerk. Contact and precinct information are included below.

WHAT IS THE BALLOT LANGUAGE

KENTWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL

This proposal will allow the school district to continue 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 and renews millage that will expire with the 2019 tax levy.

Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18.8033 mills ($18.8033 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Kentwood Public Schools, Kent County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 10 years, 2020 to 2029, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2020 is approximately $18,200,000 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2019 tax levy)?

Voting on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 will take place at the following polling locations:

TOWNSHIP/CITY	PRECINCT	PRECINCT LOCATION
BYRON CENTER	Precinct 3	Cutlerville Fire Station — 11 -68th Street SW

GAINES TOWNSHIP	Precinct 2	Gaines Township Offices — 8555 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
	Precinct 3	Gaines Township Library — 421 -68th Street SE
	Precinct 4 & 5	Heritage Baptist Church — 1570 -60th Street SE
	Precinct 6	Hillside Community Church — 1440 -68th Street SE
	Precinct 9	Ada Bible Church — 2045 -68th Street SE

GRAND RAPIDS	All – 1 through 5	Brookside Christian Reformed Church – 3600 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508

KENTWOOD	Ward 1, Pct 2	St. Mary Magdalen Church — 1213 -52nd St SE
	Ward 1, Pct 3, 6	Kelloggsville Christian Reformed Church — 610 -52nd St SE
	Ward 1, Pct 7	Kentwood Christian Church — 5841 Kalamazoo Ave SE
	Ward 1, Pct 8	Princeton Christian Reformed Church — 5330 Kalamazoo Ave SE
	Ward 1, Pct 9	Grand Rapids Baptist Church — 4525 Stauffer Ave.
	Ward 2, Pct 10	St. Mark's Lutheran Church — 1934 -52nd St. SE
	Ward 2, Pct 11	African Community Fellowship Church — 4275 Shaffer Ave. SE
	Ward 2, Pct 12	Kentwood Library — 4950 Breton
	Ward 2, Pct 13 , 15	St. Paul's United Methodist Church — 3334 Breton Ave SE
	Ward 2, Pct 14, 18	E. Paris Christian Reformed Church — 3065 E. Paris SE
	Ward 2, Pct 17	Pentecostals of Kentwood — 2627 -44th St. SE

Should you have any questions regarding your assigned polling location, please contact your local Township or City Clerk.

WHERE CAN I GET ANSWERS TO OTHER QUESTIONS I MAY HAVE ABOUT THE MAY 7, 2019 ELECTION?

Please call Todd Bell, Executive Director of Finance & Business of Kentwood Public Schools at 616-455-4400.