Michiganders will vote May 3 on nearly 150 proposed local ordinances, millages and proposals across the state worth a total of $1.72 billion based on a MIRS review of the proposals.
Most of the voting will be done on $1.66 billion in school district millage or bonding issues, with 18 of the 96 proposals trying to restore the property taxes lost to the Headlee amendment. Of the 126 proposals asking either to raise or renew a local tax or assessment, 91 have to do with schools, eight raise money for roads, eight raise money for fire and six for police.
Kalamazoo Public Schools, in Kalamazoo County, is asking for the largest amount of money with a $197 million bond. The Warren Consolidated School District in Macomb and Oakland counties is close behind, asking for $150 million.
Paw Paw Schools, in Van Buren County, is asking for the largest millage increase. They hope to raise $47.5 million with an 8.2 mill increase over 14 years.
Kalamazoo County has the largest millage renewal for a non-school. They are hoping to raise $13.6 million to fund general operations of law enforcement, prosecutors and the courts.
There is also a library proposal that would support the Goodland Township (Lapeer County) library in perpetuity and a mosquito abatement assessment that would cost everyone in the city of Montrose $45.
With the Republicans talking about doing away with the income tax, the city of Wyoming has stepped up to the plate and decided to try to implement its own income tax. If they do, there is also a proposal that would reduce all the property taxes for homeowners to 5 mills by 2023.
The village of Pentwater is asking residents if they want to ban marijuana businesses in the village limits. On the flip side, Shelby Township is asking if residents want to join in on the marijuana action in the state. Both are in Oceana County.
Meanwhile, Zeeland is asking residents if they would like to start an electrical public works department, similar to South Haven.
