Tuesday, May 6th is election day in Ottawa County and on the ballot will be several mileage proposals.
A mill is a unit of taxation used to calculate property taxes. One mill equals $1 of tax for every $1000 of a property’s taxable value. Mileage rates are used to fund public services, like schools. They fund textbooks, special education services and school building improvements.
Mileage is different from bond proposals. Millage proposals are a property tax rate that voters approve to support ongoing services. A bond is a loan taken out by a local government or school district, paid back over time with interest.
Below are the mileage renewal proposals that will be on the May 6th ballot:
Special Education Millage for the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District
Proposal: Renewal of the current 1.2425 mills for 18 years and restoration of 0.5 mills for 20 years.
Purpose: To fund special education services
Impact: For a home with a $100,000 taxable property value, taxes would increase by about $25 annually
Port Sheldon Township Fire Department
Proposal: New 0.55 mill levy for 7 years
Purpose: To fund day-to-day operations
Impact: For a home with a $100,000 taxable property value, taxes would increase by about $55 annually
Grand Haven Charter Township Senior Services Millage
Proposal: Renewal of 0.25 mills for 4 years
Purpose: To fund services for senior citizens through the North Ottawa County Council on Aging
Impact: For a home with a $100,000 taxable property value, taxes would increase by about $25 annually
School Operating Millage Renewals
Five school districts are seeking renewals to receive their full per-pupil foundation allowance from the state of Michigan.
Spring Lake Public Schools: 18.4894 mills for two years
Grand Haven Area Public Schools: 18 mills for one year
West Ottawa Public Schools: 18 mills for one year
Holland Public Schools: 19.2523 mills for three years
Zeeland Public Schools: 18.6727 mills for one year
