OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — Michiganders will head to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 6 for a primary election.
In Ottawa 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.
If you're not sure where to vote in person on election day, need help figuring out what's on your ballot, or need to register to vote, you can visit Michigan's Voter Information Center.
Here's a list of millage proposals in Ottawa County:
Countywide
Countywide Road Millage Proposal
Shall the current countywide road millage rate, as approved by the voters in 2014, be renewed at a reduced rate for a period of ten (10) years beginning in the 2025 calendar year and ending December 31, 2034, as provided for by Section 6 of Article IX of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, for the sole purpose of funding the reconstruction, resurfacing, and preventative maintenance of public roads and streets within Ottawa County? The current countywide road millage rate is 0.4767 mills. Based on Headlee rollbacks, the estimated reduced millage rate in 2025 will be 0.4578 mill (approximately Forty-Six Cents ($0.46) of each One Thousand ($1,000) Dollars of Taxable Value) assessed against taxable property within the County of Ottawa, Michigan. If approved and levied in its entirety in the first year of authorization, this millage will raise an estimated $7,142,000. In accordance with State law, the countywide road millage will be disbursed to the Ottawa County Road Commission, the Cities of Coopersville, Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, Holland, Hudsonville, and Zeeland, and the Village of Spring Lake.
City
North Ottawa County Council on Aging Millage Renewal Proposition
Shall the increase in the limitation on the total amount of taxes which may be levied against property in the City of Ferrysburg, Ottawa County, Michigan, as provided for by Section 6 of article IX of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, be renewed in the amount of $0.2500 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation, (0.2500 mills) reduced to 0.2282 mills ($0.2282 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at and increased up to the original voted 0.2500 mills ($0.2500 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of ten (10) years, 2025 through 2034, inclusive, to be paid to the North Ottawa County Council on Aging (doing business as Four Pointes) for the purpose of providing funds for senior services, and shall the City be authorized to levy said tax? The estimate of the revenue the City will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the 2025 calendar year is approximately $59,477.00 (A current tenyear millage of 0.2500 mill expires in 2024).
Tri-Cities Historial Museum Millage Renewal Proposal
Shall the previously voted increase of .25mill ($.25 per $1,000 of taxable value) upon all property assessed for taxes in the City of Ferrysburg, Ottawa County, Michigan, as reduced by the required millage rollback (which last resulted in a levy of .2392 mills) be renewed at .25 mill ($.25 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of six (6) years for levy in the years 2025 through 2030, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds to be paid to the Tri-Cities Historical Museum pursuant to a contract for the operation, maintenance, renovation and improvement of the Tri-Cities Historical Museum (currently headquartered at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Second Street in the City of Grand Haven), which levy is estimated to raise $65,000.00 in the first year of the levy, and shall the City be authorized to levy said tax?
City of Grand Haven Senior Millage Renewal Proposition
Shall the previously-voted millage levied by the City of Grand Haven, Ottawa County, Michigan, on all property assessed for taxes, at the amount of 0.25 mills ($0.25 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced by required millage rollback to 0.2333 mills ($0.2333 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed and increased for a period of ten years (2025 through 2034, inclusive), to be paid to North Ottawa County Council on Aging (dba Four Pointes) for the purpose of providing services to senior citizens, which levy is estimated to raise $210,040.38 in the first year of the levy, and shall the City of Grand Haven be authorized to levy said tax?
City of Grand Haven Museum Millage Renewal Proposition
Shall the previously voted increase of .25 mill ($0.25 per $1,000 of taxable value) upon all property assessed for tax in the City of Grand Haven, Ottawa County, Michigan, as reduced by the required millage rollback (which last resulted in a levy of .2370 mill), be renewed at .25 mill ($0.25 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of six (6) years (2025 through 2030, inclusive), for the purpose of providing funds to be paid to the Tri-Cities Historical Museum pursuant to a contract for the operation, maintenance, renovation and improvement of the Tri- Cities Historical Museum (currently headquartered at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Second Street in the City of Grand Haven), which levy is estimated to raise $210,040.38 in the first year of the levy, and shall the City be authorized to levy said tax?
Township
Chester Township Proposal No. 1 Millage Renewal Proposition 0.125 Mills for Senior Services
Shall the previously-voted increase in the Township of Chester tax rate limitation, imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution, currently 0.1224 mills ($0.1224 per $1,000 of taxable value), which expires in 2024, be renewed and levied for an additional four (4) years, from 2025 through 2028, both inclusive, and shall an additional 0.0026 mills ($0.0026 per $1,000 of taxable value) be approved and levied to restore previous millage reductions under the “Headlee Amendment” since this millage was last approved, resulting in the levy of 0.125 mills ($0.125 per $1,000 of taxable value), subject to reduction as provided by law, on taxable property in the Township? The purpose of this renewed millage levy is to provide funds for senior activities and general senior services. It is estimated that a levy of 0.125 mills would provide revenue of $14,310 in the first calendar year, of which $297 would result from the additional 0.0026 mills. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Chester.
Chester Township No. 2 Proposition for New Additional Millage 0.25 Mills for Senior Services
Shall the limitation on general ad valorem taxation within the Township of Chester imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution be increased for Chester Township by up to 0.25 mills ($0.25 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of four (4) years, from 2025 through 2028, both inclusive, subject to reduction as provided by law, on taxable property in the Township? The purpose of this new millage levy is to provide more funds for senior activities and general senior services, in addition to the funds that would be generated by the renewal of the previously-approved senior services millage, as described in Proposal No. 1. It is estimated that a levy of 0.25 mills would provide additional revenue of $28,621 in the first calendar year, thus generating a total of $42,931 for senior activities and general senior services, if Proposal No. 1 and this Proposal No. 2 are approved. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Chester.
Chester Township Proposal No. 3 Millage Renewal Proposition 1.50 Mills for Road Construction and Maintenance
Shall the previously-voted increase in the Township of Chester tax rate limitation, imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution, currently 1.4834 mills ($1.4834 per $1,000 of taxable value), which expires in 2024, be renewed and levied for an additional four (4) years, from 2025 through 2028, both inclusive, and shall an additional 0.0166 mill ($0.0166 per $1,000 of taxable value) be approved and levied to restore previous millage reductions under the “Headlee Amendment” since this millage was last approved, resulting in the levy of 1.50 mills ($1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value), subject to reduction as provided by law, on taxable property in the Township? The purpose of this renewed millage levy is to provide funds for the construction and maintenance of roads within the Township. It is estimated that a levy of 1.50 mills would provide revenue of $171,729 in the first calendar year, of which $4,276 would result from the additional 0.0166 mill. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Chester.
Crockery Township Proposition for New Additional Millage 3.0 Mills for Fire Protection Services
Shall the limitation on general ad valorem taxation within the Township of Crockery imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution be increased for Crockery Township by up to 3.0 mills ($3.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of fifteen (15) years, from 2024 through 2038, both inclusive, subject to reduction as provided by law, on taxable property in the Township? The purpose of this new millage levy is to provide additional funds for fire protection services, including general fire department operation and maintenance; training and compensation of fire department personnel; the acquiring and maintenance of firefighting and emergency response equipment and vehicles; and, the building or acquiring of fire department buildings, including equipping such buildings. Amongst other things, the funds would allow the Township fire station to be staffed fulltime by fire department personnel. If this new millage levy is approved, the Township intends to discontinue levying its existing fire service millage, and to let it expire without renewal. It is estimated that a levy of 3.0 mills would provide additional revenue of $703,306 in the first calendar year. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township of Crockery. As required by State law, a portion of the millage revenue will be disbursed to the Township Corridor Improvement Authority.
Grand Haven Charter Township Museum Millage
Shall an expiring .25 mill increase in the limitation on the total amount of taxes which may be levied by Grand Haven Charter Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, against all property in the Township, reduced by the required millage rollback to .2430, be increased and renewed, at .25 mill ($0.25 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of six (6) years (2025 through 2030, inclusive), for the purpose of providing funds to be paid to the Tri-Cities Historical Museum pursuant to a contract for the operation, repair, maintenance, and improvement of the Tri-Cities Historical Museum and its facilities (currently headquartered near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Second Street in the City of Grand Haven); and shall the Township be authorized to levy that tax? The estimate of the revenue the Township will collect for the Tri-Cities Historical Museum if the millage is approved and levied in its entirety in the 2025 calendar year is approximately $253,477.23.
Jamestown Charter Township Proposal No. 1 Millage Renewal Proposition 0.5000 Mill for Purchase of New Fire Equipment
Shall the previously voted increase in the Charter Township of Jamestown tax rate limitation, currently 0.4846 mill ($0.4846 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed and levied in the years 2025-2028, both inclusive, and shall an additional 0.0154 mill ($0.0154 per $1,000 of taxable value) be approved and levied to restore previous millage 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 the purchase of new fire equipment for the Jamestown Charter Township Fire Department. It is estimated that a levy of 0.5000 mill would provide revenue of $289,955 in the first calendar year, of which $8,931 would result from the additional 0.0154 mill. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Township.
Olive Township Fire Emergency Millage Renewal Proposition
Shall the expired previously increased limitation of one mill on the total amount of taxes which may be assessed against property in Olive Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, as provided in the Michigan Constitution of 1963, reduced to .9842 mills by required rollbacks, be renewed and increased at one mill ($1.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable value), for a period of four years, being 2024 through 2027 inclusive, to provide funds to allow the Township to provide fire and emergency services in the Township; and shall the Township be authorized to levy this tax? (ESTIMATE OF REVENUE INCREASE: If approved by the voters, the Township estimates that it will receive $264,121 of additional revenues from this millage renewal in 2024).
Olive Township Library Millage
Shall the expired previously increased limitation on the total amount of taxes which may be assessed against property in Olive Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, as provided in the Michigan Constitution of 1963, reduced to .2460 mills by required rollbacks, be renewed and increased at 0.25 mill ($0.25 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for a period of four years, being 2024 through 2027 inclusive, for library services; and shall the Township be authorized to levy tax? (ESTIMATE OF REVENUE INCREASE: If approved by the voters, the Township estimates that it will receive $66,030 of additional revenues from this millage renewal in 2024).
Polkton Charter Township Proposal No. 1 Road Improvement Millage Renewal Proposal
Shall the expired, previously-approved increase in the Charter Township of Polkton tax rate limitation, currently .9849 mills ($0.9849 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed levied in the years 2024-2027, both inclusive, and shall an additional 0.0151 mill ($0.0151 per $1,000 of taxable value) be approved and levied to restore previous millage reductions under the “Headlee Amendment” since this millage was last approved, resulting in the levy of 1.0 mill ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value), subject to reduction as provided by law, on taxable property in the Township? The purpose of this millage levy is to improve roads within the Township. It is estimated that a levy of 1.0 mill would provide revenue of $192,269 in the first calendar year, of which $2,903 would result from the additional 0.0151 mill. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Charter Township of Polkton.
Polkton Charter Township Proposal No. 2 Fire Protection and Rescue Purposes Millage Renewal Proposal
Shall the expired, previously-approved increase in the Charter Township of Polkton tax rate limitation, currently 1.9699 mills ($1.9699 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed and levied in the years 2024-2027, both inclusive, and shall an additional 0.0301 mill ($0.0301 per $1,000 of taxable value) be approved and levied to restore previous millage reductions under the “Headlee Amendment” since this millage was last approved, resulting in the levy of 2.0 ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value), subject to reduction as provided by law, on taxable property in the Township? The purpose of this millage levy is to provide for the Township’s share of the operation and maintenance costs for the Coopersville/Polkton Fire Authority, for fire protection and rescue services in the Township by the Fire Authority, and for the acquisition and maintenance of fire and rescue vehicles, apparatus, equipment and real property and improvements by the Fire Authority to be used for fire protection and rescue purposes. It is estimated that a levy of 2.0 mills would provide revenue of $384,537 in the first calendar year, of which $5,787 would result from the additional 0.0301 mill. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed by the Charter Township of Polkton to the Coopersville/Polkton Fire Authority.
Polkton Charter Township Proposal No. 3 Senior Citizens Activities and General Senior Services Millages Renewal Proposal
Shall the expired, previously-approved increase in the Charter Township of Polkton tax rate limitation, currently 0.2462 mills ($0.2462 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed and levied in the years 2024-2027, both inclusive, and shall an additional 0.0038 mill ($0.0038 per $1,000 of taxable value) be approved and levied to restore previous millage reductions under the “Headlee Amendment” since this millage was last approved, resulting in the levy of .2500 mills ($.2500 per $1,000 of taxable value), subject to reduction as provided by law, on taxable property in the Township? The purpose of this millage levy is to provide funds for senior citizen activities and general senior services. It is estimated that a levy of .2500 mills would provide revenue of $48,067 in the first calendar year, of which $730 would result from the additional 0.0038 mill. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the Charter Township of Polkton.
Port Sheldon Township Library Services Millage Proposal
Shall an increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution for real and personal property in Port Sheldon Township, of .15 mill ($0.15 per $1,000 of taxable value), be approved and levied for five years, 2024 through 2028, inclusive, for library purposes, raising an estimated $88,896 in the first year the millage is levied?
Spring Lake Township Bicycle Path Renewal Millage Proposal
Shall the previously increased limitation on the total amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Spring Lake Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, as provided in the Michigan Constitution of 1963, of 0.49 mill, which increased limitation expired after 2023 and which was reduced by required rollback to 0.4384 mill, be renewed and increased up to 0.49 mill ($0.49 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for 10 years, 2024 through 2033, inclusive, to provide funds for planning, financing, constructing, right-of-way acquiring, maintaining, reconstructing and operating bicycle paths, including paved sidewalks and paved road shoulders; and shall the Township be authorized to levy the tax? The estimated revenue the Township will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the 2024 calendar year is approximately $563,340.
Spring Lake Township Senior Activities and Services Renewal Millage Proposition
Shall the previously increased limitation on the total amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Spring Lake Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, as provided in the Michigan Constitution of 1963, of 0.25 mill, which increased limitation will expire after 2024 and which has been reduced by required rollback to 0.2311 mill, be renewed at and increased up to 0.25 mill ($0.25 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for 10 years, 2025 through 2034, inclusive, to provide funds to be paid to the North Ottawa County Council on Aging, doing business as Four Pointes, pursuant to a contract between the Council on Aging and Spring Lake Township, for the purpose of funding senior citizen activities and general senior services; and shall the Township be authorized to levy the tax? The estimated revenue the Township will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the 2025 calendar year is approximately $287,418
Spring Lake Township Bicycle Path Millage Proposition
Shall an increase in the limitaton on the total amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Spring Lake Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, as provided in the Michigan Constitution of 1963, be approved at 0.50 mill ($0.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for ten years, 2024 through 2033, inclusive, to provide funds for planning, financing, constructing, right-of-way acquiring, maintaining, reconstructing and operating bicycle paths, including paved sidewalks and paved road shoulders; and shall the Township be authorized to levy the tax? The estimated revenue the Township will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the 2024 calendar year is approximately $574,837.
Spring Lake Township Harbor Transit Millage Renewal Proposition
Shall the previously increased limitation on the total amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Spring Lake Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, as provided in the Michigan Constitution of 1963, of 0.6 mill, reduced by required rollback to 0.5812 mill, which increased limitation expired in 2023, be renewed and increased to 0.6 mill ($0.60 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for six years, 2024 through 2029, inclusive, to provide funds to be paid to the Harbor Transit for the purpose of operation, repair, maintenance, and improvement of the Harbor Transit and its related facilities; and shall the Township be authorized to levy the tax? The estimated revenue the Township will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the 2024 calendar year is approximately $689,804
Library Districts
Loutit District Library Millage Proposal
Shall the Loutit District Library, County of Ottawa, Michigan, be authorized to levy annually a new additional millage in an amount not to exceed .1557 mill ($0.1557 per each $1,000 of taxable value) against all taxable property within the Loutit District Library district for a period of ten (10) years, 2025 to 2034, inclusive, for the purpose of restoring the millage rate previously authorized and providing additional funds for all district library purposes authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue the Loutit District Library will collect if the millage is approved and levied by the Loutit District Library in the first year (2025) is approximately $450,000. By law, a portion of the revenue from the millage may be subject to capture by the City of Grand Haven Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. A portion of the revenue from this millage will be disbursed to the Howard Miller Public Library (Zeeland) pursuant to a contract.
School Districts
Allendale Public Schools Bond Proposal
Shall Allendale Public Schools, Ottawa County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Eighty-Eight Million Two Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($88,270,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting additions to, including security improvements for, remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings; erecting, furnishing and equipping a field house and school support buildings; acquiring and installing instructional technology and instructional technology equipment for school buildings; purchasing school buses; and equipping, developing, and improving playgrounds, play fields, athletic fields and facilities, sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, and sites? The following is for informational purposes only: The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2025, under current law, is 2.04 mills ($2.04 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 of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is thirty (30) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 5.64 mills ($5.64 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 $13,174,930 and the estimated total interest to be paid thereon is $19,562,570. The estimated duration of the millage levy associated with that borrowing is 18 years and the estimated computed millage rate for such levy is 10.06 mills. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $56,975,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is approximately $20,031,759. (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)
Coopersville Area Public School Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
This proposal renews millage that expired with the 2023 tax levy to allow the school district to continue to levy its authorized operating millage rate 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. Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Coopersville Area Public Schools, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, Michigan, be increased by 17.8308 mills ($17.8308 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 2 years, 2024 and 2025, to provide funds for operating puposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2024 is approximately $2,781,000 (this is a renewal of millage that expired with the 2023 tax levy)?
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Sinking Fund Millage Proposal
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed .7 mill ($0.70 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2025 to 2034, 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 2025 is approximately $2,218,148?
