KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Michiganders will head to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 6 for a primary election.
Kent County voters will decide on races either in the Republican or Democratic primary election. Ballots will include primary races for various local, state and national positions. Voters may also find bond proposals, millages or local proposals on their ballots.
Election officials created a 2024 voters guide you can check out here.
Here's the ballot language that will appear in Kent County:
Countywide Proposals
Kent County Ready By Five Early Childhood Millage
SHALL KENT COUNTY LEVY 0.25 OF ONE MILL, WHICH EQUALS 25 CENTS PER $1,000 OF THE TAXABLE VALUE ON ALL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION, FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2025 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2030, INCLUSIVE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLANNING, EVALUATING, AND PROVIDING SERVICES TO PERSONS THROUGH AGE 5 AND THEIR PARENTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, AND SERVICES TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF CHILDCARE AND TO INCREASE PUBLIC INFORMATION REGARDING AVAILABLE CHILDCARE? THE AMOUNT RAISED BY THE LEVY IN THE FIRST CALENDAR YEAR IS ESTIMATED AT $8,794,547.
In Kent County there are 31 local authorities that capture and use, for authorized purposes, tax increment revenues from property taxes levied by the County. Such capture could include a portion of this millage levy. The 31 tax increment authorities in Kent County, capturing a portion of this tax levy, include but are not limited to the following: Ada Township – Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Bowne Township – Downtown Development Authority Byron Township – Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Cascade Charter Township – Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Cedar Springs, City of – Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Grand Rapids, City of – Downtown Development Authority, Monroe North-Tax Increment Finance Authority, Smart Zone Local Development Finance Authority, Corridor Improvement Finance Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Grand Rapids Township – Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Grandville, City of – Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Kent City, Village of – Downtown Development Authority Kentwood, City of – Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Lowell, City of – Downtown Development Authority Rockford, City of – Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Sparta, Village of – Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Walker, City of – Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Wyoming, City of – Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
Kent County Sports and Entertainment Facilities Proposal
SHALL KENT COUNTY INCREASE THE RATE AT WHICH THE EXCISE TAX IS LEVIED ON ALL PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF PROVIDING ROOMS FOR LODGING PURPOSES TO GUESTS STAYING LESS THAN 30 CONSECUTIVE DAYS UNDER PUBLIC ACT 263 OF 1974 AS AMENDED FROM 5% TO 8% OF THE TOTAL CHARGE FOR ACCOMMODATIONS TO BE USED FOR ALLOWABLE USES INCLUDING FINANCING OF THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, ENLARGEMENT, REPAIR, OR MAINTENANCE OF STADIUMS, ARENAS, SPORTS COMPLEXES, AND AQUARIUMS STARTING JANUARY 1, 2025 AND TERMINATING ON THE SAME DAY AS THE COUNTY ORDINANCE ENACTED UNDER PUBLIC ACT 263 OF 1974 AS AMENDED.
City and Township Proposals
City of East Grand Rapids Street and Sidewalk Millage Proposal
This millage will allow the City of East Grand Rapids to levy 2.00 mills to provide funds for the improvement, repair, maintenance and construction of public roads, streets, sidewalks, storm drains and right-of-ways. This millage will renew an expired millage approved by the voters at 2.00 mills in 2015 and reduced to 1.7307 mills a result of “Headlee” reductions. Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be levied against all taxable property in the City of East Grand Rapids, County of Kent, Michigan, be increased by 2.00 mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of ten (10) years, 2025 through 2034, inclusive, to provide funds for the improvement, repair, maintenance and construction of public roads, streets, sidewalks, storm drains and right-of-ways within the City of East Grand Rapids (such new additional millage is estimated to provide revenues of approximately $1,962,090 when first levied in 2025 and restores a portion of the City Charter millage lost as a result of "Headlee" reductions)?
Algoma Township Ballot Proposal Bonds for Expansion and Renovation of Township Hall
Shall the Township of Algoma issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds in one or more series in an amount not to exceed Two Million Five Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars ($2,530,000) for the purpose of paying the cost of acquiring, constructing, financing an expansion and renovation of the existing Township Hall, including necessary furnishings, equipment, and site improvements? The bonds will be outstanding a maximum of seven years, exclusive of refunding. It is estimated that it will be necessary to levy 0.5944 mill ($0.5944 per $1,000 of taxable value) to pay debt service on the bonds in the first year of the levy, and to levy an estimated average of 0.5965 mill ($0.5965 per $1,000 of taxable value) each subsequent year for debt service, until the bonds are retired. The tax revenue received by the Township as a result of the unlimited tax pledge will be disbursed to the Township of Algoma to repay the proposed bonds.
Charter Township of Caledonia County of Kent, Michigan Millage Renewal Proposition for Fire Department and Law Enforcement Services
Shall the previously approved increase in the Charter Township of Caledonia tax rate limitation be renewed in the amount of 1. 9236 mills ($1. 9236 per $1,000 of taxable value) on taxable property in the Township for the years 2024-2029, both inclusive? The purpose of the millage levy is to provide fire protection services in the Township, including the operation of the Township Fire Department and the acquisition and maintenance of fire and rescue vehicles, apparatus and equipment, and real property and improvements used for fire protection purposes; and to provide law enforcement services within the Township. It is estimated that a levy of 1.9236 mills would provide revenue of $2,059,599.00 in the first calendar year. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Charter Township of Caledonia.
Cascade Charter Township Fire Protection and Emergency Services Millage Proposal
Shall the tax limitation on all taxable property within Cascade Charter Township, Kent County, Michigan, be increased and the Township be authorized to levy annually a new additional millage in an amount not to exceed 1.37 mills ($1.37 on each $1,000 of taxable value), for twenty (20) years, 2024 to 2043 inclusive, to provide funds for all fire protection and emergency services purposes permitted by law, including purchasing equipment, providing firefighter wages and benefits, and providing continuous, 24 hour fire protection and emergency medical response coverage at fire stations? The estimate of the revenue the Township will collect in the first year of levy (2024) if the millage is approved is approximately $2,900,000. By law, a portion of the revenue from the millage may be subject to capture by the Cascade Charter Township Downtown Development Authority and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
Township of Courtland County of Kent, Michigan Renewal of Fire Protection Millage
Shall the increase in the tax rate limitation for Courtland Township be renewed and levied on all taxable property in the amount of .9645 mill ($0.9645 per $1,000 of taxable value) subject to reduction as provided by law, and increased by .0355 mill ($0.0355 per $1,000 of taxable value) for ten years from 2024-2033, both inclusive? This proposal is for renewal of a millage originally authorized at 1.0 mill, and the new additional millage of 0.0335 mill is intended to offset previous Headlee millage reductions. The purpose of this millage is to provide fire protection for the Township, including the operation of the Township Fire Department, the purchase and maintenance of fire and rescue motor vehicles, apparatus and equipment, the maintenance of the Township fire stations, and the payment of any debt on fire stations. The revenue from this total 1.0 mill would be disbursed to the Township and would provide estimated revenue of $458,000 in the first calendar year of this renewal.
Grattan Township Fire Protection Millage Proposal
Shall the previously voted increase in the tax rate limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Grattan Township of 1.0 mill ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value), as reduced to 0.9650 mills ($0.9650 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed and increased with a new additional millage of 0.035 mills ($0.035 per $1,000 of taxable value), up to a total of 1.0 mill ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) annually for five (5) years, 2025 through 2029, inclusive, for the purpose of providing fire protection within the Township, including the operation of the Township fire department and the acquisition and maintenance of fire and rescue vehicles, apparatus, and real property and improvements used for fire protection purposes; and shall the Township annually levy such millage on all taxable property for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $261,059?
Grattan Township Fire Equipment Millage Proposal
Shall the previously voted increase in the tax rate limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Grattan Township of 0.5 mills ($0.50 per $1,000 of taxable value), as reduced to 0.4825 mills ($0.4825 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed and increased with a new additional millage of 0.2675 mills ($0.2675 per $1,000 of taxable value), up to a total of 0.75 mills ($0.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) annually for five (5) years, 2025 through 2029, inclusive, for the purpose of the acquisition of fire and rescue vehicles, apparatus and equipment, and real property and improvements for Township fire department purposes; and shall the Township annually levy such millage on all taxable property for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $195,794?
Township of Nelson Proposal No. 1 Millage Renewal Proposition .5000 Mill for Fire Protection Purposes*
Shall the previously voted increase in the Township of Nelson tax rate limitation, currently 0.4794 mill ($0.4794 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed and levied in the years 2024-2029, both inclusive, and shall an additional 0.0206 mill ($0.0206 per $1,000 of taxable value) be approved and levied to restore previous reductions under the “Headlee Amendment” since this millage was last approved, resulting in the levy of 0.5000 mill ($0.50 per $1,000 of taxable value), subject to reduction as provided by law, on taxable property in the Township? The purpose of this levy is to provide funds for fire protection services in the Township including the cost of contracting for fire protection services and for the acquisition of fire and rescue motor vehicles, apparatus, equipment and buildings. It is estimated that a levy of 0.5000 mill would provide revenue of $86,596 in the first calendar year, of which $3,568 would result from the additional 0.0206 mill. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Nelson. *Values subject to revisions based on 2024 taxable value.
Township of Oakfield County of Kent, Michigan Renewal of Fire Protection Millage
Shall the increase in the tax rate limitation for Oakfield Township be renewed, and levied on all taxable property in the amount of .4787 mills ($0.4787 per $1,000 of taxable value), subject to reduction as provided by law, for the years 2024-2031, both inclusive? This proposal is for renewal of a previously authorized fire protection millage at the same rate levied in 2023, to provide funds for the operation and maintenance of the Oakfield Township Fire Department, the payment of compensation to personnel, and the purchase of firefighting and emergency vehicles, apparatus, equipment, and supplies. A levy of .4787 mills will provide revenue of approximately $137,776 in the first calendar year of the renewal.
Township of Spencer County of Kent, Michigan Millage Renewal Proposition 1.00 Mill for Fire Protection Purposes
Shall the previously voted increase in the Township of Spencer tax rate limitation, currently 1.00 mill ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed and levied in the years 2025-2028, both inclusive, subject to reduction as provided by law, on taxable property in the Township? The purpose of this levy is to provide fire protection within the Township, including the operation, maintenance and equipping of the Township Fire Department, and the acquisition and maintenance of fire and rescue vehicles, apparatus, equipment, buildings and other improvements for fire protection purposes. It is estimated that a levy of 1.00 mills would provide revenue of $187,300 in the first calendar year. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Spencer.
Township of Spencer County of Kent, Michigan Millage Renewal Proposition Additional Millage 0.5000 Mill for Fire Equipment and Apparatus
Shall the previously voted increase in the Township of Spencer tax rate limitation, currently 0.5000 mill ($0.5000 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed and levied in the years 2025-2028, both inclusive, subject to reduction as provided by law, on taxable property in the Township? The purpose of the millage is to provide funds for the acquisition, operation and maintenance of fire equipment and apparatus including, but not limited to, fire and rescue vehicles. It is estimated that a levy of the additional 0.5000 mill would provide revenue of $93,600 in the first calendar year. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Spencer.
School Proposals
Greenville Public Schools Sinking Fund Millage Proposal
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Greenville Public Schools, Montcalm, Kent and Ionia Counties, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 1.5 mills ($1.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2025 to 2034, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for school security improvements; for the construction or repair of school buildings; for the acquisition or upgrading of technology; for the acquisition of student transportation vehicles; 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 2025 is approximately $1,537,187?
Tri County Area Schools I 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 II 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?
Montcalm Area Intermediate School District Bond Proposal
Shall Montcalm Area Intermediate School District, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Twenty-Nine Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($29,800,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting, completing, remodeling, ·and equipping and re-equipping school buildings, including structures, play fields, playgrounds, and other facilities, and parts of and additions to those facilities; furnishing and refurnishing new and remodeled school buildings; acquiring, preparing, developing, and improving sites, and parts of and additions to sites, for school buildings, including structures, play fields, playgrounds, and other facilities; and acquiring, installing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings for instructional technology? The following is for informational purposes only: The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2024 is 0.50 mill ($0.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty (20) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 0.46 mill ($0.46 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)
Local Library District
Shall the Kent District Library, Kent County, Michigan, be authorized to levy a renewal of the previously voted increase in the tax limitation which expired in 2023, in an amount not to exceed 1.1 mills ($1.10 per $1,000 of taxable value) (this millage is a renewal at a lower rate than the previously authorized millage of 1.28 mills, as reduced to 1.2267 mills by the required millage rollbacks, that was approved by voters in 2014 and expired following the 2023 levy) against all taxable property within the Kent District Library district for a period of one (1) year in 2024, to operate the Kent District Library in 2025 and provide funds for district library purposes authorized by law? This millage is estimated to provide revenues of $27,570,000 in the first and only year of the levy. To the extent required by law, a portion of the revenues from this millage (estimated to be approximately 1.1% in the first and only year of the levy) will be captured by or disbursed to the following authorities: the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority and the Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities of the Cities of Grandville, Kentwood, Rockford, Walker, and Wyoming.
