KENT COUNTY, Mich. — On Tuesday, May 7, people in Kent County will be heading to the polls to cast their vote in a local election.
Not all jurisdictions will hold elections on May 7. You can find out what is on your ballot here.
Across the jurisdictions with elections, there will be two school board races, a city charter amendment as well as several millage and bond proposals.
Grant Public Schools Board Member Recall Elections
There are two Grant Public Schools Board Members who are facing recall elections.
- Current recalled board member Rachal Gort is facing challenger Mindy Conley.
- Current recalled board member Richard Vance is facing challenger Lindsay Mahlich.
City of Kentwood Charter Amendment Proposal
The City of Kentwood is asking residents to amend the city charter to add a new permanent millage of up to 1.95 mills ($1.95 per $1,000.00 of taxable value).
The money raised will be used for police and fire protection.
Comstock Public Schools Sinking Fund Millage Proposal
Comstock Park Public Schools is asking residents to approve an increased millage of 0.9576 mill ($0.9576 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for 10 years from 2025 to 2034.
The money raised will be used 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."
Kenowa Hills Public Schools Bond Proposal
Kenowa Hills Public Schools is asking residents to approve a $37,080,000 bond for the district. The district estimates that the bond would not increase the current millage rate of 4.67 mills ($4.67 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) and would be paid back over 30 years. It is estimated that the millage levied for the proposed bonds in 2024 would be 0.90 mills, a 0.00 mill increase over last year.
The money from the bond would be used for "acquiring, erecting, remodeling, and equipping and re‐equipping school buildings and facilities, and additions to school buildings and facilities; furnishing and refurnishing school buildings and facilities; acquiring, installing, equipping and re‐equipping school buildings for instructional technology; and acquiring, preparing, developing, improving and equipping athletic fields, play fields, structures, facilities and sites."
Lowell Area Schools Bond Proposal
Lowell Area Schools is asking residents to approve a $104,150,000 bond for the district. The district estimates that the bond would not increase the current millage rate of 7.0 mills ($7.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) and would be paid back over 30 years. It is estimated that the millage levied for the proposed bonds in 2024 would be 1.11 mills, a 0.00 mill increase over last year. The district expects to borrow $2,107,667 with estimated interest of $482,967 from the State School Bond Qualification and Loan Program to pay debt service on these bonds.
The money from the bond would be used for "erecting, completing, remodeling, and equipping and re‐equipping school buildings and facilities, and additions to school buildings and facilities; furnishing and refurnishing school buildings and facilities; acquiring, installing, equipping and re‐equipping school buildings for instructional technology; and preparing, developing, improving and equipping athletic fields, play fields, playgrounds, structures, facilities and sites."
Thornapple Kellogg School Operating Millage Proposal
Thornapple Kellogg School District is asking residents to renew a non-homestead operating tax levy. The millage would be levied at 18.9923 mills ($18.9923 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on non-primary residents in the district. The district is also asking for an additional 0.50 mills to be levied as a buffer against reductions in taxes levied required by the Headlee Amendment. The two millages would be levied over 10 years from 2025 to 2034.
The money raised from the millage would be used to provide funds for operating purposes in the district.
Wayland Union School District Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
Wayland Union School District is asking residents to renew a non-homestead operating tax levy. The millage would be levied at 18.387 mills ($18.387 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on non-primary residents in the district. The millage would be levied over seven years from 2025 to 2031.
The money raised from the millage would be used to provide funds for operating purposes in the district.
You can read the exact ballot language of each race, proposal, millage and bond here.
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