MICHIGAN, USA — The August primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 8 and there are a little more than a dozen elections, millages and bond proposals in counties across West Michigan.
Below you can find an explanation of each of the items on your ballot.
Here is what is on the ballot for counties in West Michigan:
Allegan County
Fennville Millage Proposal
Fennville Public Schools is proposing a millage to provide funds to operate a system of public recreation and playgrounds. The proposal will allow the current millage to continue, as well as a new additional millage to be levied.
The millage would be levied at 0.4885 mill for 10 years, with that millage increasing by 0.5 mill from 2024 through 2033.
Lake Michigan College
Lake Michigan College is proposing a charter millage renewal for operating purposes.
The renewal would extend the millage, levied at 0.8804 mill, for another 20 years from 2024 through 2043.
Otsego Public Schools
The district is proposing to renew a millage to cover a portion of the district's operating costs. The millage is currently levied at 18 mills, but is set to expire in 2024. The renewal would increase the millage to 19 mills for the next ten years, through 2032.
This is a non-homestead millage that only affects commercial, rental, vacation and some agricultural properties.
City of South Haven Mayoral Primary Election
Three candidates are fighting for their spot in the November general election. The two top vote-getters will face off in November. The three candidates include:
- Annie Brown, former president of South Haven Public School Board of Education
- Robert Burr, former mayor of South Haven
- Joe Reeser, current city council member for Ward 1
Barry County
Gull Lake Community Schools Operating Millage
Gull Lake Community Schools is proposing a millage to cover operating costs for the district. The new millage would increase what is currently levied by 2.9 mills for the next 11 years from 2023 to 2033.
This is a non-homestead millage that only affects commercial, rental, vacation and some agricultural properties.
Hastings Public Schools – Bond Proposal
Hasting Public Schools is proposing a bond of $17.47 million to improve buildings in the district. The estimated bond proposal would decrease the current millage levied at 6.0 mills to 5.85 mils for the next 11 years. If the proposal doesn't pass, the millage levied would instead drop to 5.25 mills.
Lakewood Schools – Bond Proposal
The Lakewood Public School District is purposing a bond of $39 million to improve infrastructure and facilities as well as enhance security. The estimated millage for the proposed bond in 2023 is 1.54 mills, an increase of 1.2 mills over the prior year. The bond can be repaid over 20 years at an average annual millage rate of 3.21 mills.
Kent County
Kentwood City Commissioner
Three candidates are fighting for their spot on the November general election ballot for the position of Commissioner At-Large for the City of Kentwood. The two top vote-getters will face off in November. The three candidates include:
- Lily Cheng-Schulting
- Maurice H. Groce, incumbent city commissioner
- JaWhan A. Jackson, President of UAW Local 330
Lakewood Schools – Bond Proposal
The Lakewood Public School District is purposing a bond of $39 million to improve infrastructure and facilities as well as enhance security. The estimated millage for the proposed bond in 2024 is 1.54 mills, an increase of 1.2 mills over the prior year. The bond can be repaid over 20 years at an average annual millage rate of 3.21 mills.
Ionia County
Ionia Co Road Millage
Ionia County is asking for a renewal of a millage that will raise money to improve primary roads in the county. The county is asking for a renewal at 0.9867 mills and the restoration of the 0.133 mills reduced by the Headlee Amendment. The millage would last from 2024 through 2029.
Saranac Schools Operating Millage
Saranac Community Schools is proposing a millage renewal to cover operating costs for the district. The millage would be levied at 19 mills and would not increase from the current millage levied.
This is a non-homestead millage that only affects commercial, rental, vacation and some agricultural properties.
Montcalm County
Central Montcalm Schools Bond Proposal
The Central Montcalm School District is purposing a bond of $47.5 million to improve infrastructure and facilities as well as purchase new buses and upgrading sports and recreation facilities. The estimated millage for the proposed bond in 2024 is 2.74 mills, for a zero mill increase over the prior year. The bond can be repaid over 26 years at an average annual millage rate of 5.44 mills.
Muskegon County
Muskegon County Commission – 2nd Ward
Three candidates are fighting for their spot on the November general election ballot for the position of County Commissioner of the 2nd Ward. The two top vote-getters will face off in November. The three candidates include:
- Willie German Jr.
- Jeanette Burt-Moore
- Mike Gallavin
Muskegon County Commission – 4th Ward
Three candidates are fighting for their spot on the November general election ballot for the position of County Commissioner of the 4th Ward. The two top vote-getters will face off in November. The three candidates include:
- John Carey
- Teresa Emory
- Katrina Kochin
Ottawa County
Coopersville City Council
Eight candidates are fighting to get on the November general election ballot for three city council positions. The six top vote-getters will face off in November. The eight candidates include:
- Tim Degeus, incumbent
- Renee Gavin, incumbent
- Jamie Adams
- Daniel Bowman
- Michael Karasinski Jr.
- Steve McCarthy
- Jillian Poelma
- Jason Tuttle
Grand Haven Mayor
Four candidates are fighting for their spot in the November general election for the position of Grand Haven Mayor. The two top vote-getters will face off in November. The four candidates include:
- Catherine McNally, incumbent
- Andrea Hendrick
- Benjamin Genser
- Robert Monetza
Van Buren County
City of South Haven Mayoral Primary Election
Three candidates are fighting for their spot in the November general election. The two top vote-getters will face off in November. The three candidates include:
- Annie Brown, former president of South Haven Public School Board of Education
- Robert Burr, former mayor of South Haven
- Joe Reeser, current city council member for Ward 1
Lake Michigan College
Lake Michigan College is proposing a charter millage renewal for operating purposes.
The renewal would extend the millage, levied at 0.8804 mill, for another 20 years from 2024 through 2043.
NOTE: A single mill is levied at $1 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation of a property. For example, 1 mill of a $100,000 property is $100.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michigan's municipal election day is Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Some Michiganders will vote on various local offices, from school boards to mayoral races. Many voters will not have any races on their ballot.
You can learn what's on your ballot here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
You can find election results here.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.