Search for “millages”
Results 1 to 50 of 163
Higher Taxes Would Offer Little for Ottawa Schools
Millage money more fairly shared, but promises little results
… add a regional enhancement millage to this November’s ballot. Millages are taxes assessed on a home … the ballot.
This type of millage has been available to the … million regional enhancement millage in fall 2016, and Kent County … the regional enhancement millage funds. Charter public schools, … more
A $4.6 Billion Transit Millage Is a Tax Too Far for Detroit
Time to question the benefits of the Regional Transit Authority
… Michigan in Northwest Detroit. The Mackinac Center’s analysts haven’t dug deeply into the RTA’s plans and assumptions surrounding its $4.6 billion millage request on November’s ballot. But the rhetoric from the RTA leadership in attendance was troubling — even before we look at the numbers.
Longtime … more
School District May Have Crossed Legal Line in Tax Request
Pinckney Superintendent's email on millage renewal raises questions
… was “asking voters to renew” a multi-million millage raises questions whether the district crossed … asking voters to renew a 6-year Non-Homestead Millage of 18 Mils.” The six-year millage passed last night and will raise about $3.7 million … more
‘No reason to fear a charter school,’ West Bloomfield treasurer told school board
But board voted anyway to tear down Roosevelt Elementary, build new school with millage money
… school.
The West Bloomfield school board voted Monday night to demolish Roosevelt Elementary School in Keego Harbor. The board also voted to seek a millage from local taxpayers to build another elementary school. In so doing, it rejected a $1.7 million offer to buy and renovate the century-old building. … more
Doctored Video Promotes Authentic Tax Hike in Northern Michigan School District
Cars passing school made to look faster as narrator talks safety
School Districts Spend Tens of Thousands On Losing Millage Requests
Districts across the state choose to hold funding requests during low turnout elections
… of those elections proved fruitful for the districts as voters passed millage, bond and sinking fund requests.
But nine districts were unsuccessful, … not help us at all related to the timelines."
~~~~~
See also:
Local Millages Coverage
Legislators Chip Away at Proposal A Property Tax Limits more
District's Millage Urgency Claims Don't Match Facts
Alcona Community Schools official says money needed to stop flow of huge staff cuts
… an effort to drum up support for an upcoming millage, Alcona Community Schools Superintendent Shawn … Alpena News ran its article with the headline: “Millage needs to pass for Alcona Schools”
However, state … District is proposing a regional enhancement millage that would raise about $5.6 million for four districts. … more
The public will be heard: a lesson from Patmos Library
What did we learn from a failed millage for a West Michigan library?
… the Detroit Free Press.
What followed was a millage renewal that failed. The public spoke, and it …
Library officials will try another, smaller millage in November, but the Freep reports that if that … in it, and then continue to fund it whenever millage-renewal time comes up?
Government employees serve … more
Reject a Tax Hike? It'll Be Back
Wyoming residents soundly reject millage, school board puts it back on the ballot
… voters and their voice,” he said.
Larson said if the voters had passed the millage in November, the school board wouldn’t come back three months later to … get ‘Yes,’” Larson said.
Other schools have attempted to get rejected millages back before voters in a matter of months.
In Eaton Rapids, 57 percent … more
Pro-Gas Tax Hike Democrat: Never Seen A Public Willing To Tax Itself
Yet, local voters have approved 549 millages taxing themselves for roads and more
… needed.’”
Last year, 549 ongoing property tax millage levies had been approved by local voters, all … revenue to roads. They included 21 additional road tax millages approved by local voters just between 2015 and … local communities voted to approve 36 new school millages for an additional $1.5 billion in revenue. more
School Hosts Advocacy Session for Tax Hike in Front of Students
Politicking on the taxpayer dime
… Vassar Public Schools held an event which explicitly advocated for a school millage request. A panel that featured a private citizen and a group of administrators … bond.
Jones also notes that Vassar residents have a significantly higher millage rate than citizens in surrounding communities. They pay a total of 37.8 … more
Pittsfield Township to Vote on Millage for Core Services
… double their existing public safety millage to maintain services. Financial data … an increase in its public safety millage from 1.00 to 1.95 mills for 10 years … township.
Pittsfield Township’s millage is common among municipalities that … Public Policy, said public safety millages are like used car dealers who try … more
Use Taxpayer Money to Call for Higher Taxes? Not Within Two Months of the Vote
New law: Schools, cities, can't call for tax hikes 60 days before an election
… district sent out a flier shortly before a bond millage that read, “Preserve Our Heritage. Fund Our Future.” … finance a public relations scheme in order to pass millages and bond proposals,” said Eric Doster, the general … school districts to say anything about local millage and bond questions," the MASA posted on their … more
Voters Reject Detroit-Area Transit Boondoggle
… for public policy prudence and humility with the defeat of the 20-year millage proposal to fund mass transit expansion in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw … side of the road and with a two-year waiting period before any future millage could be placed in front of voters, Metro Detroit’s leaders should focus … more
Yard signs at Cheboygan senior center advocate for senior millage
‘It looks terrible,’ said one election law expert. But is it illegal? It depends
… visitors to “Vote YES on senior millage renewal.”
The Sand Road Senior … advocating for a government millage, on government property. … its Senior Citizens Service Millage, which expired in December. … funds generated from this millage are divided up between the … throughout the county.”
Millages are fine. They raise money … more
Local Police/Fire Millage Votes Show Local Politicians’ Bait and Switch
… local police and fire “enhancement” millages on the ballot. These public safety … to approve a general property tax millage increase.
Or alternatively, ask voters to approve extra millages for those lowest priority services. … asking for extra police and fire millages.
When you buy a car you expect it … more
Michigan Road Funding at Record Levels Without Proposed Tax Hike
Lawmakers should be aware of the amount currently being spent on roads
… local roads, and those figures are counted here. But the resources that local governments generate to spend on their own roads from property tax millages are not included.
Finding the historical records on state spending and comparing them with recent data was harder than it may seem. Things in Michigan … more
Cost of School Millage Approvals Inflated Because of Prevailing Wage Law
Taxpayers hit with an extra $35 million in costs because of law that favors labor unions
One thing voters did not get to decide in recent school millage elections was whether they wanted to pay higher wages for the construction projects that were approved in districts across the state.
Yet that's what will happen because of the state's prevailing wage law, which mandates that union scale … more
How They Sold $17-Plus Million Spending Hike as $10 Million Cut
A pitch mailed by the Kalamazoo Public Schools to a local nonprofit asking for help passing a millage hike on May 5 included the following:
“For many years, the state has underfunded public education, and local school districts have needed to make significant budget cuts as a result.” The letter also … more
'Taxpayer Burnout' Likely At Play In Rejection Of Grand Rapids Community College Millage Request
… traditionally favorable time for millage approvals, and more than 100,000 faculty, … voters would approve the millage by a 24 percent margin after … over an unrelated transit millage increase that was narrowly … property tax revenue.
The millage had the support of some of … $150,000 in support of the millage and posted their names in … more
Legislators Chip Away at Proposal A Property Tax Limits
Legislation would break 1994 promise to taxpayers
… Proposal A’s restrictions on new millage requests. According to a 2009 … expanding the use of sinking fund millages have been introduced, both by … type covered by Proposal A millage limitations.
Three weeks … in debt for technology. "A millage for school security or technology … future debt. A sinking fund millage raises X amount each year … more
How Local Governments Advocate for Tax Increases
Senate bill 571 looks to curb abuses
… any communication to residents that mentions an upcoming property tax millage election within 60 days of the vote.”
Gov. Snyder has yet to sign the … to say the district was “asking voters to renew” a multimillion-dollar millage.
Saline High School posted a video on its website in 2011 that featured … more
Advocacy Alleged In School District Bond Promotion
Traverse City school district officials say they did not tell people how to vote
How Local Governments Toe the Line Advocating for Tax Hikes
Rising revenue, but Muskegon County Road Commission wants more
Schools and Locals Electioneer for Tax Hikes, State Nods
Current state law doesn't require tax-funded information be 'accurate' or 'complete'
Troy Trounces Tax Hike
… vote margin Tuesday.
The millage, which called for a 1.9 mill … just after midnight. The millage would have generated $37.7 … the city. By defeating the millage, the citizens saved $196 on … fighting mad.”
The anti-millage group Troy Citizens United … a campaign to defeat the millage. They had a Web site and held … more
Local Government Stories
… Percent More Spending Per Kid and One-Ninth the Average Health Co-Pay
Ten Total Fires and $30K in Average Overtime
Pittsfield Township to Vote on Millage for Core Services
April
Hartland Teachers to Share in Belt-Tightening
Town Rescinds 'Unconstitutional' Tea Party Sign Ban
School District Saves … more
Macomb County City Deletes Former Official's Criticism from Website
'It's just a shame' city won't present the full picture on tax hike
… misleading voters about an August millage, which is promoted as a public … deceive citizens about the millage, and that the higher tax will … what’s going on with this millage. It’s just a shame,” Stahl … residents to vote yes on the millage while not using the words … lecture she gave about the millage proposal. She said the video … more
644 Michigan Communities Levy Local Road Taxes
That’s at least $151.5 million annually on top of state road taxes
… voter-approved local road millage that took effect in 2017. … that levy a dedicated road millage. The Mackinac Center for Public … collected by 570 of those millages by looking at local government …
The largest annual road millage levied by a local unit of … the city of Warren. A road millage in the city of Southfield … more
Commentary: What's the Deal With K-zoo Transit Tax Bills?
… that impose two separate millage levies, when 59 of their GOP … allow for a differentiated millage - meaning one millage with different rates for various … line haul service at one millage rate, and one comprised of … response service) at another millage rate, but both under a single, … more
You Can't Do That: Township's Taxpayer-Funded Tax Hike Electioneering
Expert says the law means what it says on this one
… advocating a “yes” vote on a millage question likely violates state … a three-year property tax millage that would cost the average … household for three years. The millage would give the department … assessment” rather than “millage.”
“When we sent the flier … residents we printed the word millage in error,” Bishop said in … more
School Districts Manipulate Headlee Tax Limits for More Money
Districts game the system at taxpayers' expense
… expenses. So when current school millage authorizations are due to … received a 19.6292 operating millage authorization. Voters in Adrian … reductions” refers to potential millage rate rollbacks mandated by … school districts must cut millage rates by an amount sufficient … approve higher “just in case” millage rates in advance. Called “phantom … more
Troy to Explore Extensive Privatization
… duties comes as the city has put a 1.9 millage increase for five years on the ballot that will be voted on Tuesday. The millage would generate $37.7 million over …
But Szerlag said that even if the millage passes, he could layoff up to 90 … said.
One Troy resident against the millage increase wonders why it took so long … more
City Pays Public Safety Officers Nearly Twice Residents' Incomes, Repeatedly Requests Tax Hikes
Average Oak Park police officers make $86K per year in salary
… Park residents approved a 1-mill millage that runs through 2020. Then on May … voters approved another 1.14 mill millage that runs through 2021.
Oak Park … Average Overtime
Local Police/Fire Millage Votes Show Local Politicians’ Bad Faith
Pittsfield Township to Vote on Millage to Fund Core Services
Commentary: … more
School District Spent $275,000 in Public Dollars on Tax Hike Vote
Kent County taxpayer-funded campaign was ‘extremely biased towards an affirmative vote’
… $275,206 on its May 2 enhancement millage victory, according to documents obtained … districts to receive the benefit of the millage beginning next school year, and local … governmental body, working to promote a millage result,” said Eric Larson, president … usually in a very biased way — any millage.” more
City Claims Significant Workforce Cut; Budget Says Otherwise
Analyst: '[E]xploiting voters' fear of crimes to extract more money...'
… increase via a public safety millage, saying it has made signficant … 1.14 mills Public Safety Millage for 10 years. Voters approved a 1-mill Public Safety Millage last year, but the city now … values. The city says the new millage will cost homeowners on average … a critic of public safety millages.
“There’s no such thing … more
Happy Anniversary Proposal A
… rollback of property tax millage levels, made possible by increasing … from those rolled back local millage rates with money from the … certain types of local school millage increases. It introduced a … rollback of school operating millages have largely evaporated. … through large capital spending millage increases in off-cycle, low-turnout … more
Troy Voters to Decide $196-Per-Home Tax Question
… jobs.
The city has put a 1.9 millage increase for five years on … be voted on Tuesday. The millage would generate $37.7 million … Troy resident opposed to the millage. “People have had their overtime … resident who opposes the millage. “Everyone is cutting back, … Gosselin, R-Troy, who opposes the millage. ”Other towns will look for … more
Anatomy of How to Kill a Tax Hike
… spearheaded groups fighting against millage hikes for schools, libraries, … said using public safety millages is often like trying to make … public safety ‘enhancement’ millage money goes into the same pot … end, these ‘public safety’ millages are about preserving those … was one of only a few major millages to be defeated. While the … more
Are Michigan Voters Really Ready to Pay Higher Taxes?
… an evaluation of the local millages in the August primary. Its …
How many times has that millage been before the voters?
They … misplaced, however: targeted millages used to pay for core government … support for a fire or police millage than one for non-core functions. … likely to say "no" to extra millages to support municipal golf … more
Fox2 Detroit misstates impact of declining school enrollment
Some Michigan schools have larger payrolls than current conditions allow
… get some but not all of their money from enrollment numbers, Van Beek told CapCon.
Districts also raise money for school buildings through local millages. Enrollment numbers do not determine how much a district gets from those taxes.
When asked about the statement that school boards may have to close … more
Voters In More Than 700 Michigan Towns Said ‘Yes’ To Local Road Taxes
While Lansing squabbles over how much is really needed
… state data and records indicates the number of communities imposing road millages is more than 700. The amount of money raised locally and spent locally … each year.
In Oakland County, for example, 15 municipalities impose road millages on property owners. In Wayne County, another 15 municipalities collect … more
City: Vote 'Yes' On Tax Hike or You May Die
… is asking voters “to approve” the millage and states the tax increase would … mailings before the public safety millage was approved last fall. He called …
“Using phrases like, ‘Why do we need a millage increase?’ and the tax hike will … coffee per week’ and passing the millage ‘can mean the difference between … more
Dearborn schools show how to handle a library controversy
The school board listened to the public and removed seven books, as their fate is reviewed
… Township declined to approve the library’s renewal millage in August, by a margin of 62.5% to 37.5%. The operating millage accounts for 84% of the library’s budget.
Library officials will make an attempt at a smaller millage in November. more
City Taking In More But Manager Cries Poverty
Municipalities with growing revenue blame state for not adding even more dollars
… reforms and two voter-approved millages.
“Cities cannot cut their … to the passage of a street millage.
“This millage contributed an additional … grown, it is from an increased millage, not an increase in taxable … Taxable Value growth, and it is millage increases that have allowed … more
College Pays $75 Fine For Illegal Electioneering
President used taxpayer-funded equipment to ask for $7.1 million tax hike
… Plymouth and part of Canton. The millage increase, which Schoolcraft … When the college proposed a millage increase three years earlier, … wrote “Support of our Nov. 6 Millage Restoration.” Both emails … line “Support of our Nov. 6 Millage Restoration.”
On June 8, … employees before the 2018 millage vote are typical among government … more
School District Seeking Tax Hike Challenged on Dollar Figures
Macomb ISD claims a loss of $103 million, but spending and compensation have all been rising
… million special education millage on Nov. 8, but local taxpayers … district that advocates for the millage.
But a look at the fiscal … website advocating for the millage, “Teachers and other education … money.
“Our opposition to the millage is plain and simple: This … lead the fight against the millage. Haddad is a local activist … more
Taxpayer Funded Electioneering in Full Swing Before May 2 Tax Votes
Officials claim messages ‘presenting factual information’ (wink, wink)
… approve two property tax millage levies that were up for renewal. … February 25th for the school millage renewal.”
The state elections … sustain support for the current millage rate, and renew the current Special Education millage rate of 1.55 mills.”
When … current Special Education millage rate of 1.55 mills. There … more
Like CapCon on Facebook
Follow CapCon on X