By Gari Voss
The August 2, 2022 Primary Election will request voters to determine the outcome of a variety of proposals. These proposals will only be available during the August 2nd election. There is one countywide renewal proposal for Senior Citizen Services. The others are area specific with most being renewals that will override Headlee reductions, but there are a few new money proposals to consider. Voters must vote on August 2nd to weigh in on these proposals.
COUNTYWIDE
All of Allegan County
Senior Citizen Services Millage Renewal. All polling places will see the Senior Citizen Services renewal on the ballot. This proposal asks that the voters renew 0.493 mills for 2022 through 2025. These funds are solely for services to senior citizens and will raise an estimated $2,862,780 based on taxable value in 2022.
CITIES
Holland
Broadband Bond. The City of Holland desires to borrow the principal amount that will not exceed $30,000,000 for a period that will not exceed 25 years from the date each series of bonds is issued. The goal is to expand the City’s broadband internet transport services which will include engineering and design, acquisition, construction, installation and expansion of fiber optics and all items associated with it. The estimated millage levied for the first year will be 1.5 mills while the estimated simple average annual millage rate required to retire the bonds will be 1.12 mills.
South Haven
Senior Millage Reauthorization. The previously voted millages totaling 0.50 mill have slowly rolled back due to Headley requirements, so the voters are being asked to renew the total 0.50 mill for 8 years (2022 – 2029) to allow Senior Services of Van Buren County, also known as South Haven Area Senior Services, to continue providing senior citizen activities and other services. It is estimated that 2022 will raise an estimated $249,688.84.
Additional Senior Millage. The City of South Haven, plus Van Buren and Allegan Counties feel the need to levy a new, additional millage up to .5 mill for a period of 8 years (2022 – 2029) to cover the rising costs of Senior Citizen activities and services. The levy would raise an estimated $249,688.84. By law, a portion of the taxes captured would be disbursed to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority of the City of South Haven.
TOWNSHIPS
Allegan Township
Funding of Waste Reduction Programs. This 10-year proposal (2023-2032) would charge all households in Allegan Township $50 per year to cover the operational costs for Allegan County to fund the collection of materials for recycling including recyclable materials, household hazardous wastes, tires, batteries, and electronics, as provided in the Allegan County Solid Waste Management Plan.
Cheshire Township
Renewal of Road Maintenance/Improvement Millage. This is a renewal of the 2016-21 2.0 millage on taxable real and personal property. The millage has slowly rolled back over the last 4 years due to Headley. Approval would renew the original 2.0 mills for 6 years (2022-2027). In 2022 an estimated $143,124 would be raised to maintain and improve township roads.
Dorr Township
Waste Reduction and Recycling Programs. This 10-year proposal (2023-2032) would charge all households in Dorr Township $50 per year to cover the operational costs for Allegan County to fund the collection of materials for recycling including recyclable materials, household hazardous wastes, tires, batteries, and electronics, as provided in the Allegan County Solid Waste Management Plan.
Ganges Township
Road Millage Renewal. For 2023 through 2026, 1.50 mills will be levied to renew the road millage. In 2023, an estimated $343,910 would be collected for road improvement.
Gun Plain Township
Read Improvement Renewal. This renewal of 2.0 millage on the taxable value of property will produce about $468,000 in 2024. The 10-year (2024 through 2033) tax renewal will continue to maintain and improve roads within the township.
Hopkins Township
Major Fire Equipment Replacement Renewal. The 1 mill renewal for the period of 2024 through 2028 (4 years) will raise an estimated $100,000 the first year to be used to replace major fire equipment in Hopkins Township.
Laketown Township
Renewal for Fire, Road, Bicycle Path and Drains. The renewal of 2 mills for 2022 and 2023 (2 years) will be above the 15 mill tax limitation, and will provide operating funds for Fire Department equipment and apparatus; for repair, construction, reconstruction and/or blacktopping of roads and bike paths; and for the repair and maintenance of drains in the township. 2022 will garner approximately $1,030,928.
Lee Township
Road Millage Renewal. This will reestablish the original 2 mills for 3 years, 2022-2024, that will fund road construction and maintenance within the Township. The first year should collect an estimated $127,513.74.
Martin Township
Fire and Emergency Service Equipment. This would reestablish the 0.75 mills for 4 years, 2023-2026. The funds will enable the township to acquire and maintain fire and emergency equipment for Martin Township. For 2023, an estimated $83,467 would be raised.
Overisel Township
Road Reconstruction Renewal. This would renew the previous 2 mills for 4 years, 2023 – 2026, so the Township can reconstruct roads. During 2023, an estimated $379,000 should be realized.
Valley Township
Road Millage Renewal. The 2 mill renewal for 4 years, 2023 – 2026, will enable the Township to maintain, improve, repair and construct roads. During 2023, an estimated $171,324 would be collected.
Waste Reduction and Recycling Programs. This 5-year proposal (2023-2027) would charge all households in Valley Township $50 per year to cover the operational costs for Allegan County to fund the collection of materials for recycling including recyclable materials, household hazardous wastes, tires, batteries, and electronics, as provided in the Allegan County Solid Waste Management Plan.
Watson Township
Road Millage Renewal. The 2 mill renewal for 4 years, 2023 – 2026, will be used by the Township to maintain, improve, repair and construct roads. During 2023, an estimated $125,000 would be collected.
Waste Reduction and Recycling Programs. This 5-year proposal (2023-2027) would charge all households in Watson Township $50 per year to cover the operational costs for Allegan County to fund the collection of materials for recycling including recyclable materials, household hazardous wastes, tires, batteries, and electronics, as provided in the Allegan County Solid Waste Management Plan.
Douglas, Saugatuck and Saugatuck Township
Interurban Transit Authority Renewal. Each entity will reestablish the 0.5 mill for 5 years (2022 – 2026) levied by the Interurban Transit Authority to provide funds for public transportation services.
Casco Township, Fennville City, Clyde Township, Ganges Township
Fennville District Library Millage Renewal. The Library District would like to renew for 10 years (2022 – 2031) the .60 mill levy that expired on December 31, 2021. This millage will enable the District Library to provide, operate and maintain library services by raising an estimated $326,125 in 2022. A portion of the revenues to be captured would be disbursed to the City of Fennville Downtown Development Authority.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
School Districts across Allegan County are able to levy up to 18 mills on any property that is not a primary residence or is exempt from the 18 mills. Any previously approved millage has been reduced due to the Headlee Override Amendment. Therefore, districts must come back to the voters to reestablish the total 18 mills that are essential to cover operating expenses districts.
Fennville Public School District
Operating Millage Renewal. This proposal will allow the Fennville Public School District to levy the rate not to exceed 18 mills on all property except principal residence and other exempt properties to recapture any millage previously lost to the Headlee Rollback. The 18 mills will be for 2 years (2023 – 2024) and would provide an estimated $3,008,046 in 2023. The taxes will be used for school operating expenses.
Sinking Fund Renewal. The renewal of 0.4867 mill will be assessed against all taxable properties in the Fennville School District for 10 years (2023 – 2032) to continue construction or repair of school buildings. An estimated $218,674 will be collected in 2023.
Gobles Public School District
Operating Millage Renewal. Passage would allow the school district to reestablish the 18 mills on all property except principal residences and other exempt properties since the previous 18 mills had been reduced due to the Headlee Amendment. This 4-year (2023 – 2026) millage will garner approximately $985,532 in 2023.
Wayland Public School District
Bonding Proposal. The Proposal would levy millage against all properties in the Wayland School District to enable it to borrow the sum not to exceed 48,500,000 and issue general obligation unlimited tax bonds to:
erect, furnish and equip a new pool addition to the high school; remodel, furnish and refurnish, and equip and re-equip school buildings; acquire and install instructional technology and instructional technology equipment for school buildings; and develop, equip and improve athletic fields and facilities, parking areas and sites.
The estimated 8.40 mills would be levied for 8 years to cover the principle of $1,952,296 and interest of $1,261,756. None of these funds may be used for repair or maintenance, employee salaries, or other operating expenses.