MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — On Tuesday, May 7, people in Muskegon County will be heading to the polls to cast their vote in a local election.
Not all jurisdictions in Muskegon County will hold elections on May 7. You can find out what is on your ballot here.
Across the jurisdictions with elections, there will be a city council election as well as several millage and bond proposals.
City of Muskegon Heights City Council Special Election
The City of Muskegon Heights is holding an election for a vacant seat on the city council. There are four candidates running for the position. The position is nonpartisan.
- Brenda Carter
- Darius Mitchell
- Kim Sims
- Vernonell Smith
Kim Sims is a former mayor and city council member of Muskegon Heights.
White Lake Fire Authority Millage Proposal
The White Lake Fire Authority is asking residents in Whitehall Township, Fruitland Township and the City of Whitehall to approve a millage of up to 2.25 mills ($2.25 per $1,000 taxable value) for a period of 15 years.
The money raised form the millage will be used to fund the operational costs and expenses with White Lake Fire Authority.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
Grand Haven Area Public Schools is asking residents to renew a non-homestead operating tax levy that expired in 2023. The millage would be levied at 18.00 mills ($18.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on non-primary residents in the district. The millage would be levied for a single year in 2024.
The money raised from the millage would be used to provide funds for operating purposes in the district.
Holton Public Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
Holton Public Schools is asking residents to renew a non-homestead operating tax levy that is set to expire in 2024. The millage would be levied at 18.9032 mills ($18.9032 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on non-primary residents in the district. The millage would be levied for six years from 2025 to 2030.
The money raised from the millage would be used to provide funds for operating purposes in the district.
Public Schools of the City of Muskegon Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
Muskegon Public Schools is asking residents to renew a non-homestead operating tax levy that is set to expire in 2024. The millage would be levied at 19.3754 mills ($19.3754 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on non-primary residents in the district. The millage would be levied for six years from 2025 to 2030.
The money raised from the millage would be used to provide funds for operating purposes in the district.
North Muskegon Public Schools Bond Proposal
North Muskegon Public Schools is asking residents to approve a $5,600,000 bond for the district. The district estimates that the bond would increase the current millage rate of 7.82 mills by 1.00 mill and would be paid back over 25 years. The district expects to borrow $672,977 with estimated interest of $528,398 from the State School Bond Qualification and Loan Program to pay debt service on these bonds. If approved, the new millage rate for the district would be 8.82 mills ($8.82 per $1,000 taxable value).
The money from the bond would be used for "erecting, furnishing, and equipping athletic facilities; and preparing, developing, and improving athletic fields and sites."
Ravenna Public Schools Bond Proposal I
Ravenna Public Schools is asking residents to approve two bond proposals in the May 7 election. The first is a $10 million bond for the district. The district estimates that the bond would not increase the current millage rate of 7.0 mills and would be paid back over 30 years. The district expects to borrow $2,720,000 with estimated interest of $5,149,246 from the State School Bond Qualification and Loan Program to pay debt service on the bond.
The money from the bond would be used for "remodeling, equipping and re-equipping and furnishing and refurnishing the elementary school; and acquiring, installing, equipping and re-equipping the elementary school for instructional technology."
Ravenna Public Schools Bond Proposal II
Ravenna Public Schools is also asking residents to approve a $6,100,000 bond for the district. The district estimates that the bond would increase the current millage rate of 7.00 mills by 1.00 mill and would be paid back over 30 years. The district expects to borrow $300,035 with estimated interest of $101,612 from the State School Bond Qualification and Loan Program to pay debt service on the bond. If approved, the new millage rate for the district would be 8.00 mills ($8.00 per $1,000 taxable value).
The money from the bond would be used for "remodeling, equipping and re-equipping and furnishing and refurnishing school buildings and structures; erecting, equipping and furnishing structures; acquiring, installing, equipping and reequipping school buildings for instructional technology; and preparing, developing, improving and equipping playgrounds athletic fields and facilities and sites."
You can read the exact ballot language of each proposal, millage and bond here.
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