AUGUST 6, 2024 ELECTION INFORAMTION

Operating Millage Renewal

On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, voters in the Tri County Area Schools district will be asked to once again renew the district’s Operating Millage for two years to fully fund our district.  The 18 mills Non-Homestead property tax levy will be for the 2025 and 2026 tax years.  

All Michigan schools are required to levy 18 mills through an Operating Millage in order to receive the full per pupil funding amount of $9,608 per pupil. The non-homestead levy will provide approximately $2,803,596 each year, and represents approximately 12% of the district’s budget.

• Non-Homestead properties consist of businesses, rentals, vacation homes, and commercial agricultural properties.
• Homestead properties are taxpayer’s primary residence.  Homestead properties DO NOT pay the 18 mills operating millage. This renewal DOES NOT affect the taxes on your home or qualified agricultural land.

What Does Each Vote Mean?
Voting YES will allow TCAS to levy the required 18 mills on non-homestead property
Voting NO will mean a loss of $2,803,596 per year, which equates to approximately $1,699 per student.

If this proposal does not pass, the State of Michigan will not replace the $2,803,000 of funding and TCAS will be forced to significantly reduce expenditures to offset the loss, possibly including educational programs, extra-curricular activities, athletics, transportation, etc..

What you will see on the ballot - Official Ballot Language

TRI COUNTY AREA 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 2024 tax levy.

Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18 mills ($18.00 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 Tri County Area Schools, Montcalm, Kent and Newaygo Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 2 years, 2025 and 2026, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2025 is approximately $2,803,596 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2024 tax levy)

TRI COUNTY AREA SCHOOLS
OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL
EXEMPTING PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE
AND OTHER PROPERTY EXEMPTED BY LAW
18 MILLS FOR 2 YEARS

Sinking Fund Proposal - 1.0 Mil for 5 Years

Tri County Area Schools is asking voters to approve a 5-year, 1.0 mil Sinking Fund on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. If approved, this proposal will help maintain the current 4.381 mills the district currently collects, and would provide approximately $574,723 each year to help continue the enhancement of our schools' safety and functionality for the benefit of our students, staff, and community members. This proposal would be a ZERO tax increase to our voters.

Why a Sinking Fund Now?

With the rise in property values in our area, our current bond millage of 4.381 will be reduced by 1.0 mil in 2024. A Sinking Fund is needed to maintain our current millage, so the district can continue to support needed repairs and upgrades in our district. The State DOES NOT provide any funding for facility improvements or capital projects.

As you are aware, no one could foresee the effects that the pandemic would have in the way of increased costs of approximately 40% on everything related to our bond passed in 2019 (materials, shipping, labor). If approved, this Sinking Fund proposal would continue the work we began in 2020 and would be a ZERO tax increase to taxpayers over what they are currently paying.

Targeted Areas for using Sinking Fund dollars:

➔ New Press Box at Athletic Complex
➔ Bleacher Expansion at Athletic Complex
➔ HVAC upgrades at the MacNaughton Building for Early Childhood Center
➔ Parking lot repairs at the MacNaughton Building
➔ Age Appropriate Playground equipment for Early Childhood Center at MacNaughton
➔ Exterior Lighting and Security Cameras for Early Childhood Center at MacNaughton

What is a Sinking Fund?

• Pay As You Go: A Sinking Fund is a limited property tax, considered a pay-as-you-go method. This approach eliminates borrowing and interest costs to maximize taxpayer dollars. Funds are collected yearly and no interest is paid on funds 
• Use is Limited: Funds can be used for purposed identified in the proposal.  They cannot be used for operating expenses, routine building maintenance, employee salaries or benefits.
  
  

What will you see on the ballot - Official Ballot Language

TRI COUNTY AREA SCHOOLS

SINKING FUND MILLAGE PROPOSAL

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Tri County Area Schools, Montcalm, Kent and Newaygo Counties, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 1 mill ($1.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 5 years, 2024 to 2028, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for the purchase of real estate for sites for, and the construction or repair of, school buildings; for school security improvements; for the acquisition or upgrading of technology; for the acquisition of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used for the maintenance of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of eligible trucks and vans used to carry parts, equipment, and personnel for or in the maintenance of school buildings; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used to maintain such trucks and vans; and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2024 is approximately $574,723?

TRI COUNTY AREA SCHOOLS
SINKING FUND MILLAGE PROPOSAL
1 MILL FOR 5 YEARS