OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — If you live in Ottawa County, there's a good chance you'll 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:
City of Grand Haven City Charter Amendment Proposal
Shall the Grand Haven City Charter be amended to dissolve the Board of Light and Power, to transfer the city's electric utility facilities and services to the control and direction of the city council, and to create an energy services advisory commission?
Jamestown Charter Township Library Millage Renewal Proposal
Shall Jamestown Charter Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, be authorized to levy a renewal of the previously voted increase in the tax limitation, which expired in 2022, in an amount not to exceed .4119 mill ($0.4119 on each $1,000 of taxable value), against all taxable property within the Township for a period of three (3) years, 2023 to 2025 inclusive, for the purpose of operating, maintaining, and equipping the Patmos Library (Jamestown Charter Township) and for all other library purposes authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue the Township will collect in the first year of the levy (2023) if the millage is approved is approximately $231,000. The revenue from the millage levy will be disbursed to the Patmos Library.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Bond Proposal
Shall Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum 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.)
Shall Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed TwentyEight 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.)
West Ottawa Public Schools Bond Proposal
Shall West Ottawa Public Schools, Ottawa County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Two Hundred Thirty-Seven Million Dollars ($237,000,000) 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, including structures, athletic fields, play fields, playgrounds, and other facilities, and parts of and additions to those facilities;
- furnishing and refurnishing new and remodeled school buildings and other facilities; - acquiring, preparing, developing, and improving sites, and parts of and additions to sites, for school buildings, including structures, athletic fields, play fields, playgrounds, and other facilities;
- purchasing school buses and musical instruments; 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 1.23 mills ($1.23 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.25 mill net decrease 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-five (25) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 2.78 mills ($2.78 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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The polls open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and close at 8 p.m.
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