MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — If you live in Muskegon County, you may have something to vote for in the upcoming November general election.
Election day is Nov. 7, 2023.
Here's the list of ballot language that certain voters will see when they cast their vote:
Township of Ravenna Ballot Proposal Bonds for Blackmer Road Repairment Project
Shall the Township of Ravenna issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds in one or more series in an amount not to exceed Three Million Two Hundred Eighty-five Thousand Dollars ($3,285,000) for the purpose of paying the cost of constructing and improving approximately three miles of Blackmer Road extending from Ellis Road south to Wilson Street within the Township, together with appurtenances, engineering, contingency, legal and financing costs?
The bonds will be outstanding a maximum of 20 years, exclusive of refunding. It is estimated that it will be necessary to levy 2.1600 mills ($2.16 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 2.1576 mills ($2.1576 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 Ravenna to repay the proposed bonds.
White River Township New Additional Millage Proposal
This proposal will allow the intermediate school district to continue to levy special education millage previously approved by the electors.
Shall the currently authorized charter millage rate limitation of 1.1305 mills ($1.1305 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Newago County Regional Educational Service Agency, Michigan, to provide funds for the education of person with disabilities, be renewed for a period of 8 years, 2025 to 2032, inclusive; the estimate of the revenue the intermediate school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2025 is approximately $2,034,900 from local property taxes authorized herein (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2024 tax levy)?
Newaygo County Regional Education Service Agency Special Education Millage Renewal Proposal
This proposal will allow the intermediate school district to continue to levy millage previously approved by the electors for area vocational-technical education programs.
Shall the currently authorized charter millage rate limitation of 0.2354 mill ($0.2354 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency, Michigan to provide funds for area vocational-technical education programs, be renewed for a period of 8 years, 2025 to 2032, inclusive; the estimate of the revenue the intermediate school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2025 is approximately $423,720 from local property taxes authorized herein (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2024 tax levy)?
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Bond Proposal I
Shall Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, Michigan, borrow the sun of not to exceed One Hundred Eighteen Million Three Hundred Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($118,315,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of:
- erecting, equipping and furnishing a new middle school building;
- remodeling, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings, including school security improvements and secure entrances, and facilities;
- furnishing and refurnishing school buildings and facilities; purchasing school buses;
- acquiring, installing and equipping and re-equipping school buildings for instructional technology;
- and preparing, developing, improving and equipping structures, athletic fields and sites?
The following is for informational purposes only:
The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2024 is 2.71 mills ($2.71 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 1.66 mills net increase over the prior year's levy. 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 1.92 mills ($1.92 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.)
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Bond Proposal II
Shall Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, Michigan, borrow the sun of not to exceed Twenty-Eight Million Six Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($28,660,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting, remodeling, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings, additions to school buildings, and facilities; furnishing and refurnishing school buildings and facilities; and acquiring, installing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings for instructional technology; and preparing, developing, improving and equipping structures, athletic fields, play fields, playgrounds and sites?
The following is for informational purposes only:
The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2024 is 1.76 mills ($1.76 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.71 mill net increase over the prior year's levy. 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 0.55 mill ($0.55 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.)
Montague Area Public Schools 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. The remaining 1.4591 mills are only available to be levied to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the "Headlee" amendment to the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will only be levied to the extent necessary to restore that reduction.
Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Montague Area Public Schools, Muskegon and Oceana Counties, Michigan, be renewed by 19.4591 mills ($19.4591 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2025 to 2034, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2025 is approximately $3,479,041 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2024 tax levy)?
North Muskegon Public Schools Sinking Fund Millage Proposal
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in North Muskegon Public Schools, Muskegon County, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 1.4369 mills ($1.4369 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2026 to 2035 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 personnel 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 2026 is approximately $293,259?
North Muskegon Public Schools Bond Proposal
Shall North Muskegon Public Schools, Muskegon County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, for the purpose of:
- remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping the North Muskegon School;
- acquiring and installing instructional technology and instructional technology equipment for the North Muskegon School;
- purchasing school buses; and preparing, developing, equipping, and improving the site?
The following is for informational purposes only:
The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2024, under current law, is 0 mills ($0.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation), for a 0 mill net increase over the prior year's levy. The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-five (25) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 1.90 mills ($1.90 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The school district expects to borrow from the State School Bond Qualification and Loan Program to pay debt service on these bonds. The estimated total principal amount of that borrowing is $1,336,174 and the estimated total interest to be paid thereon is $1,484,458. The estimated duration of the millage levy associated with that borrowing is 12 years and the estimated computed millage rate for such levy is 7.82 mills. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $10,890,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is approximately $3,329,563. (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.)
Whitehall District Schools Bond Proposals
Shall Whitehall District Schools, Muskegon County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Thirty-One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($31,750,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, for the purpose of:
- erecting, remodeling, equipping and re-equipping, furnishing and refurnishing school buildings, additions to school buildings, and facilities, including safety and security improvements and secure entrances; preparing, developing, improving and equipping structures, athletic fields, play fields, playgrounds, and sites; purchasing school buses;
- 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 1.0 mill ($1.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is sixteen (16) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 3.22 mills ($3.22 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.)
WHAT’S ON MY BALLOT?
Helpful links for the Nov. 7 general election:
- Click here to find out what is on your ballot.
- Click here to find out if you are registered to vote.
- Click here to find out how to register to vote.
- Click here to find your polling place.
- Click here to find out where to drop off your absentee ballot.
- Click here to find more helpful links.
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