Special School Election: “Your Vote Counts and Costs You Only Your Time to Vote”

On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, voters in the Hartland Consolidated School District will be asked to maintain the full 18 Non-Homestead mills for the schools’ operating budget.  Essentially, the ballot question asks district voters to keep the same millage rate, 18 mills, that has existed since Proposal A went into effect in 1994.  For residential homestead property owners and qualified agricultural property owners, the maintaining of the 18 non-homestead mills will cost you nothing except the time and energy you expend to go to the polls. 

In March of 1994, Michigan voters approved Proposal A.  That action completely changed how Michigan public schools would be financially supported in the future.  The success of that vote significantly reduced tax millages for people who owned one home (called your homestead).  For example, the Hartland Consolidated Schools operating tax millage was 37 mills before Proposal A.  After the 1994 vote, it was reduced to six mills and remains this amount.  The 6 mills are sent directly to Lansing.  This and other taxes, such as sales tax, income tax, liquor and cigarette taxes, and lotto revenues all go into making up the dollars for the state school aid fund.  From these collected monies, the State reimburses school districts with a foundation allowance.

 In Hartland our foundation allowance for the 2011/2012 school year is $6,956.00 per pupil.  Please keep in mind that this is the basic foundation grant promised under Proposal A. The 18-mill Non-Homestead Tax portion of school funding is extremely important for Hartland Schools, equating to approximately $4,483,329 in revenue next year. Non-Homestead property is defined as commercial, industrial and second homes such as vacation cottages.  Non-qualified agricultural land that is not farmed by the owner is also subject to the 18-mill tax levy.   The crux of Proposal A is based on the assumption that each district would collect the full 18 mills on non-homestead properties.  The law states that the full 18 mills cannot be collected unless it comes before the voters in an election, and the state assumes that school districts are collecting the full 18 mills and does not compensate them for a shortfall if the renewal fails.   Those of us that own our homes as our primary residence (our homestead) would continue to pay 6 mills – no more and no less.

If the Non-Homestead millage on non-residential property is not renewed at the full 18 mills allowed by Proposal A, this will create a loss in revenue for the school district of approximately $4.5 million for the 2012/2013 school year.  The last Non-Homestead Tax millage election was held in May of 2011 for a period of one year. Please remember the 18 mills is what the district needs to be made whole regarding state funding and that this will cost residential homeowners in Hartland nothing more than their time to vote. 

Why is a non-homestead renewal important to Hartland Schools?

• The 18-mill tax equates to $4,483,329 in revenue for the district next year
• State assumes 100% of the non-homestead tax is collected based on a levy of 18 mills
• Funds not collected ARE NOT made up by the state when allocating monies to our schools for educational purposes

Is the Non-Homestead renewal something new?

• NO!  This tax levy has been in place since 1995
• Businesses, vacant property and second homes are expected to pay this tax as part of Michigan’s school funding program
• This is a renewal of the 18 mills passed for one year in 2011

Does this renewal mean a tax increase for area businesses?

• NO!  This same 18 mills has been levied on businesses, vacant land and 2nd homes since 1995 and the passage of Proposal A

If the only property I own in the Hartland district is my home, does this proposal cost me anything?

• NO!  As stated in the ballot proposal, principal residences and other qualified property are exempt.
• NO!  But keep in mind if the proposal is defeated, it will cost Hartland Schools approximately $4,483,329.

Where to Vote

Residents of the Hartland Consolidated Schools district will vote in the same local township polling location for the school election as when voting in the general election.

Eligible Citizens May Vote Absentee

Absentee ballot applications will be received and processed at the township or village hall in which you reside.  Township and Village Hall addresses and phone numbers are listed below.  Please call to request an absentee application or for further information on how to vote absentee.

•       Hartland Township Hall, 2655 Clark Road, Hartland, 48353              (810) 632-7498
•       Brighton Township Hall, 4363 Buno Road, Brighton, 48116               (810) 229-0555
•       Genoa Township Hall, 2911 Dorr Road, Brighton, 48116                                 (810) 227-5225
•       Oceola Township Hall, 1577 Latson, Howell, 48843                               (517) 546-3259
•       Tyrone Township Hall, 10408 Center Road, Fenton, 48430                  (810) 629-8631
•       Deerfield Township Hall, 4492 Center Road, Linden, 48451                (517) 546-8760

We would like to hear from you…

If you have questions about the 18-mill Non-Homestead Tax, or an opinion to share, please call Superintendent Janet Sifferman or Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations Scott Bacon at (810) 626-2100.