Ballot items up for vote during Michigan's May 2 special election

By: Sean McGarry

Posted: Apr 10, 2023 8:14 AM EST

Mich. -- A number of proposals are on the ballot this year for Michigan's special election May 2.

Berrien County

Berrien Springs Public Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 19.1642 mills ($19.1642 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 Berrien Springs Public Schools, Berrien County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 5 years, 2024 to 2028, 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 2024 is approximately $2,415,215?

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 2023 tax levy.

Buchanan Charter Township Fire Millage Renewal Proposal

Shall the previously authorized increase in tax limitation on all taxable property in Buchanan Charter Township, Berrien County, that expired in 2022 be renewed and the Township be authorized to levy an amount not to exceed 1.1707 mills ($1.1707 on each $1,000 of taxable value) against all taxable property for a period of five (5) years, 2023 to 2027, inclusive, for the purpose of operating, equipping, constructing and purchasing for the fire department or any other purpose authorized by law for fire protection service. The estimate of the revenue the Township will collect in the first year (2023) if the millage is approved and levied by the Township is approximately $195,000?

Buchanan Community Schools Bond Proposal

Shall Buchanan Community Schools, Berrien County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Thirty-Four Million Nine Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($34,970,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting, furnishing, and equipping additions to school buildings; remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and reequipping school buildings; acquiring and installing instructional technology and instructional technology equipment for school buildings; erecting, furnishing, and equipping a storage facility; and preparing, developing, improving, and equipping athletic fields, playgrounds, and sites?

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2023, under current law, is 3.20 mills ($3.20 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-four (24) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 3.75 mills ($3.75 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The school district does not expect to borrow from the State to pay debt service on the bonds. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $10,560,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $0. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances.

Coloma Community Schools Bond Proposal

Shall Coloma Community Schools, Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Twenty-Eight Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($28,250,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: remodeling, furnishing, and refurnishing and equipping and reequipping school buildings; erecting, furnishing, and equipping additions to school buildings; acquiring and installing instructional 3technology; erecting, equipping, preparing, developing, and improving athletic fields and facilities, playgrounds, parking areas, and sites?

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2023 is 1.88 mills ($1.88 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a .99 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-five (25) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 2.61 mills ($2.61 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The school district does not expect to borrow from the State to pay debt service on the bonds. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $11,535,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $0. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances.

*Dowagiac Union School District Operating Millage Proposal

Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Dowagiac Union School District, Cass, Van Buren and Berrien Counties, Michigan, be renewed by 17.7063 mills ($17.7063 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 5 years, 2024 to 2028, inclusive, and also be increased by .5 mill ($0.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 6 years, 2023 to 2028, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and .2937 mill is levied in 2023 is approximately $102,250 and 18 mills are levied in 2024 is approximately $6,266,620?

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 full revenue per pupil foundation allowance and restores millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963.

Eau Claire Public Schools Bond Proposal

Shall Eau Claire Public Schools, Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Sixteen Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($16,700,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting, furnishing and equipping a gymnasium addition to the elementary school building; remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing and equipping and re-equipping school buildings; acquiring, installing, equipping and re-equipping school buildings for instructional technology; and preparing, developing, improving and equipping playgrounds and sites?

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2024 is 4.80 mills ($4.80 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 2.00 mills net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-six (26) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 4.52 mills ($4.52 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The school district does not expect to borrow from the State to pay debt service on the bonds. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $0. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $0. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances.

Lakeshore Public Schools Bond Proposal

Shall Lakeshore Public Schools, Berrien County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Nineteen Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($19,900,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, for the purpose of: remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and reequipping school buildings; acquiring and installing instructional technology and instructional technology equipment for school buildings; and developing and improving playgrounds, driveways, parking areas, and sites?

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2023 is 0.9 mill ($0.90 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-five (25) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 1.07 mills ($1.07 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The school district does not expect to borrow from the State to pay debt service on the bonds. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $26,450,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $0. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances.

Village of Stevensville Proposal 2023-1

Shall the Village of Stevensville adopt an “Ordinance Prohibiting Adult-Use Marihuana Establishments Under Initiated Law 1 of 2018, the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act,” which will completely prohibit adult-use (recreational) marihuana establishments in the Village and repeal the Village’s previously adopted Ordinance No. 11092201?

Watervliet Public Schools Bond Proposal

Shall Watervliet Public Schools, Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Twenty-Nine Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($29,900,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting, furnishing, and equipping additions to school buildings; remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and reequipping school buildings; erecting, furnishing, and equipping school buildings; and preparing, developing, improving, and equipping athletic fields and facilities, driveways, parking areas, and sites?

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2023, under current law, is 1.70 mills ($1.70 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 1.20 mills net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is thirty (30) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 4.45 mills ($4.45 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).The school district expects to borrow from the State School Bond Qualification and Loan Program to pay debt service on these bonds. The estimated total principal amount of that borrowing is $11,302,277 and the estimated total interest to be paid thereon is $16,120,304. The estimated duration of the millage levy associated with that borrowing is 31 years and the estimated computed millage rate for such levy is 7 mills. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $19,460,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $0.

Cass County

Jefferson Township Renewal of Road Millage

Shall the Township of Jefferson, Cass County, Michigan, renew its levy for up to 1.0 (one) mill which is equal to $1.00 for each $1,000.00 of taxable valuation of real and personal property subject to taxation?

Said millage renewal will be an extra-voted millage to be used for the maintenance, upkeep, repair, and construction of roads within Jefferson Township so designated by the Jefferson Township Board. Said millage renewal, if approved by the electors of Jefferson Township, will be levied for a period of two (2) years, beginning with the year 2023 and ending in the year 2024. Based on current valuation, it is estimated that the levy will generate approximately $140,561.26 in the first year of the levy.

Jefferson Township Operating Millage

Shall the Township of Jefferson, County of Cass, Michigan, be authorized to levy annually a new additional millage in an amount not to exceed .2202mill ($.2202 on each $1,000 of taxable value) against all taxable property within the Township of Jefferson for a period of seven (7) years beginning in the year 2023 and continuing until 2029, for the purpose of providing funds for the general operating costs of the township as authorized by law?

The estimate of the revenue the Township of Jefferson will collect if the millage is approved and levied by the Township of Jefferson in the first year (2023) is approximately ($30,951.81.

Newberg Township Road Millage

Shall the Township of Newberg, Cass County, Michigan, levy of up to 1.0 (one) mill which is equal to $1.00 for each $1,000.00 of taxable valuation of real and personal property subject to taxation as an extra-voted millage to be used for the maintenance, upkeep, repair, and construction of roads within Newberg Township so designated by the Newberg Township Board?

Said millage, if approved by the electors of Newberg Township, will be levied for a period of two years, beginning with the year 2023 and ending with the levy in the year 2024. Based on current valuation, it is estimated that the millage will generate approximately $97,027.58 in the first year of the levy.

Cassopolis Public Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 19.8337 mills ($19.8337 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 Cassopolis Public Schools, Cass County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 10 years, 2024 to 2033, 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 2024 is approximately $5,600,000?

Edwardsburg Public Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

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 Edwardsburg Public Schools, Cass County, Michigan, be increased by 18 mills ($18.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for the year 2023 to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2023 is approximately $2,414,906?

*Also on ballots for Cass County residents