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Home > 2023 Operating Millage Proposal

2023 Operating Millage Proposal

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Operating Millage Overview

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Voters in the Forest Hills Public Schools District will consider two items on the November 7, 2023, election ballot: (1) a bond proposal and (2) an operating millage proposal.

This page is dedicated to understanding the operating millage proposal.

Forest Hills Public Schools voters will consider an operating millage proposal on the November 7, 2023, election ballot. If approved, this is a .5 mill increase ($0.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) and is a tax levied on non-homestead properties. Non-homestead properties represent industrial, commercial, and some agricultural properties as well as “second homes.” It is not a tax on a primary residence.

What Every Taxpayer Should Know about the Operating Millage Proposal

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  • If the operating millage is not approved, FHPS will continue to lose approximately $395,000 of annual operating revenues.

  • This is not a tax on one’s primary residence.
  • The operating millage is a component of the Foundation Allowance, which is the district’s largest source of revenue.
  • The State of Michigan assumes all school districts are levying 18 mills. When in fact, Forest Hills is not. This is because when property tax values rise faster than the rate of inflation, districts are required to reduce the number of mills being levied. A reduction in mills being levied results in lost revenue.
  • If approved, it is expected that Forest Hills Public Schools will collect approximately $395,000 to support operating costs in 2024.

Operating Millage Proposal Ballot Language

FOREST HILLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPERATING MILLAGE PROPOSAL

This proposal will allow the school district 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.

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Forest Hills Public Schools, Kent County, Michigan, be increased by .5 mill ($0.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 2 years, 2024 and 2025, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2024 is approximately $395,000 (this millage is to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will be levied only to the extent necessary to restore that reduction)?

Ballot and Voting Information

What about the bond proposal on the November ballot? Where can I learn more about this?

We have so much information about both proposals that we have another page dedicated to information about the bond proposal. Click here to learn more about the bond proposal.

To view a sample ballot, track the status of an absentee ballot, and verify voter registration

If you’d like to view a sample ballot for the upcoming election, track the status of an absentee ballot and verify your voter registration information, visit Michigan Voter Information Center through the Michigan Secretary of State. Information pertaining to the November election should be updated and available soon on their website.

What are the election costs of putting this on the ballot now rather than waiting until 2024?
Forest Hills Public Schools will split the cost of the election, including programming, with the Kent District Library.  Costs for local jurisdictions (Ada Township, Cascade Township, GR Township, etc.) typically include election inspector wages, poll workers, counting ballots, etc.  We also split costs from Kent County with the Kent District Library.
How do I register to vote?

Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center to register to vote online. It is recommended by the Secretary of State to register by mail by October 23, 2023, to participate in the November 7, 2023 election. Individuals may also register in-person at their local clerk’s office through November 7, 2023, with the required documentation. For assistance in obtaining the address of your local clerk, visit Michigan.gov/vote.

Are owners of property in the school district eligible to vote if they do not reside in the school district?

Owners of property are only eligible to vote if they reside in the school district boundaries.

If I rent a house, can I vote?

Yes, if you rent a house you can still vote. You must be a registered voter in the city or township you are living in and live within the school district’s boundaries.

What are the requirements to be eligible to register to vote?

To register to vote, you must be:

  • A Michigan resident (at the time you register) and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
  • A United States citizen
  • At least 18 years of age (when you vote)
  • Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison
My child just moved away to attend a college or university. Can they still vote?

College and university students have the option to register at their home address or campus address. Students can vote in person at their polling place or with an absentee ballot. Regardless of which option they choose, as a college student, it is critical that they register and vote as early as possible. For more information about college and university students registering to vote, click here.

I am not available on election day. Can I vote sooner? How is an absentee voter ballot obtained?

Registered voters must complete and submit the application to receive their absentee voter ballot. To vote by mail, fill out the application and sign it, and then return it to your local clerk. For assistance in obtaining the address of your local clerk, visit Michigan.gov/vote. When filling out the application, if you check the box to be added to the permanent absentee voter list, you will get an application mailed to you before every election.  

If you registered to vote after absentee voter ballot applications were mailed, applications may be obtained at Michigan.gov/vote. Absentee voter ballots are available to the general public by September 28 through election day, November 7, 2023.

What are the key dates leading up to Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, election day?

Registering to Vote:

  • The last day for voters to register by mail is October 23, 2023.
  • Voters may register in-person through Tuesday, November 7, 2023 (election day) with the required documentation.

Absentee Voting:

  • Absentee voter ballots are available by September 23 until Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
  • Contact your local clerk with questions.
Where do I vote? When is election day?

Tuesday, November 7, 2023, is election day, but absentee voting can occur leading up to that date. All registered voters may cast an absentee voter ballot by mail.

Voters may also cast a ballot at the polling location established by their city/township. If you have questions or do not know where you vote, please contact your city/township office. Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

If you are unsure of your polling location, click here for an online search of where you can vote based on your name and zip code or driver’s license: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index. You may also contact your local city/township office.

When are poll locations open on election day?

Polling locations are open on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

STUDENTS SITTING ON THE FLOOR IN A HALLWAY WITH THE WORDS BOND PROPOSAL NOT TAX RATE INCREASE EXPECTED OVER THE CURRENT RATE

chalk drawn images of a piggy bank, car, graduation cap and others, with the words, understanding school finance, what everyone should know