Non-Homestead Millage Renewal
What is the issue?
On August 4, 2020, voters in the Wayland Union School District will be asked to renew the current 18.387 mill Non-Homestead millage. This proposal will allow the district to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on non-homestead properties within the district. Approval or disapproval will NOT result in a change to the taxes you pay on primary residences.
By law, the non-homestead millage is only levied against commercial property, rental property, second homes, and non-agricultural vacant land. This renewal is needed in order for the school district to receive its full revenue from the state. The Non-Homestead millage makes up $3.66 million of the Wayland Union Schools’ $32 million annual budget. If approved, the revenue from this millage will help pay for school programs, supplies, utilities, transportation, maintenance, and staffing. The renewal is for a four year period.
What does non-homestead mean?
Non-homestead properties include businesses, investment properties, vacation homes and rental properties. It is not levied on primary residences, so there is no cost to homeowners.
I thought schools no longer received funding through property taxes so why are talking about a millage renewal?
Funding for school districts changed significantly in 1993/94 when Proposal A was passed by the Michigan voters. Under Proposal A, the State pays the majority of the cost, but to receive full funding, schools must levy taxes locally on non-homestead property in their District.
Is this a new tax?
No. This millage was last approved by the voters in 2014. The current millage expires with the 2020 tax levy.
Will my residential school taxes increase too?
No. This tax is on non-homestead property and does not apply to your primary place of residence.
What happens if the millage doesn’t pass?
The revenue generated from the tax on non-homestead property totals approximately $3.66 million annually. Failure to renew the non-homestead mills would change our state school aid foundation amount from the current $8,111 per student to a much lower $6,883 per student. The State will not replace the funding and the Wayland Union School District will be forced to reduce or eliminate instructional and support programs for our students to offset the reduction of revenue.
How are Michigan school districts funded?
Districts receive most of their funding on a per-pupil basis. The amount that a school district receives per pupil is called the Foundation Allowance. The per-pupil Foundation Allowance for the Wayland Union School District is $8,111. This represents approximately 80% of Wayland Union School’s revenue and is funded from two sources: 1) local revenue collected on non-homestead property and 2) state revenue.
Why the 18.387 and not just 18 mills?
The district is only legally allowed to levy a maximum of 18 mills. We are seeking renewal of the 18.387 mills as a means to protect against any future Headlee rollback. In the event of a Headlee rollback the district would then still be able to levy the full 18 mills but would never be able to levy more than 18 mills.
Where and when can I vote?
To find out where and how to vote, please contact your city or township clerk. Polls will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM.
Absentee ballot information
Check your voter registration at Michigan Voter Information Center Michigan.gov/Vote to see if you are registered. Absentee Voter applications will be mailed to all registered voters who are registered prior to June 20, 2020. If after this date requests to have an absent voter ballot mailed to you must be received by your clerk no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. Registered voters will need to return their absentee ballot application in order to receive a ballot by mail. Absentee ballots will be due no later than 8pm on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 -Election Day! More info at michigan.gov/sos.
Other questions?
If you have any additional questions about the non-homestead millage renewal election, please contact Pat Velie, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations at 269-792-2181.
