OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — On Tuesday, May 7, people in Ottawa County will be heading to the polls to cast their vote in a local election.
Not all jurisdictions in Ottawa 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.
Ottawa County Board of Commissioners District 2 Recall Election
Recalled incumbent Ottawa County Board of Commissioner Lucy Ebel (R) is facing challenger Christian Kleinjans (D) in a recall election. Voters will decide one of these two candidates to represent District 2 on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. This is a partisan race.
Holland Charter Township Bicycle Path Millage Proposition
Holland Charter Township is asking residents to approve a millage of 0.55 mill ($0.55 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for four years from 2025 through 2028.
The money raised will be used to construct and maintain bike paths.
Hudsonville Public Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
Hudsonville 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 over four years from 2024 to 2027.
The money raised from the millage would be used to provide funds for operating purposes in the district.
Hudsonville Public Schools Operating Millage Proposal
Hudsonville Public Schools is also asking residents to increase the non-homestead operating tax levy that expired in 2023. The district is asking for an additional 2.00 mills ($2.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) to be levied as a buffer against reductions in taxes required by the Headlee Amendment.
West Ottawa Public Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
West Ottawa Public Schools is asking residents to renew a non-homestead operating tax levy.
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.
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.
Zeeland Public Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
Zeeland 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 18.4474 mills ($18.4474 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on non-primary residents in the district. The millage would be levied for a single year in 2025.
The money raised from the millage would be used to provide funds for operating purposes in the district.
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 an 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 an 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 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).
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."
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 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) 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."
Jenison Public Schools Bond Proposal
Jenison Public Schools is asking residents to approve a $117 million bond for the district. The district estimates that the bond would not increase the current millage rate of 8.5 mills ($8.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value).
The money from the bond would be used for "erecting, furnishing, and equipping school buildings and structures, including an upper elementary school, and additions to Jenison High School; remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings and structures, including for school security purposes; acquiring and installing instructional technology and instructional technology equipment for school buildings; purchasing school buses; acquiring a site; and preparing, developing, improving and equipping athletic fields and facilities, a playground, play fields and sites."
You can read the exact ballot language of each proposal, millage and bond here.
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