Voters in the Whiteford Agricultural School district will go to the polls Tuesday, May 7, to vote on the renewal of the current no-homestead tax levy.
This levy is for operating funds and applies to vacant land, commercial and industrial properties, rental properties and vacation homes within the school district.
This renewal does not increase taxes on any primary residences or qualified agricultural or forest property. The renewal would generate approximately $821,047 for educational funding in 2014.
According to an information sheet provided by the Whiteford School District, the proposal will allow the district to levy 18 ills on all property except principal residences and other exempt property required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. It renews the current millage that expires with the 2013 tax levy. The district is asking for a five year renewal for the years 2013-2018. All properties are subject to the six mills levied state-wide but the non-homestead property is also subject to the local 18-mill levy as written into Proposal A of 1994. With the adoption of Proposal A in 1994 all Michigan school districts receive a foundation grant for operations revenue from the state. If districts do not pass the 18 mills on non-homestead properties they do not receive the full foundation grant. The levy represents approximately 14 percent of the district’s total operating revenue according to the district’s website.
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are located at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 5790 W. Temperance Road, Ottawa Lake. Absentee ballots can be obtained by contacting the township clerk’s office at 734-856-5383.