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ESCANABA -- Delta County voters made their voices heard Tuesday, approving two area millage proposals: the Escanaba Area Public Schools (EAPS) Operating Millage Proposal and Cornell Township Fire Millage Renewal Proposal.
Due to all precincts not yet having fully reported on enhancedvoting.com, the Daily Press cannot report on the specific votes and percentages for the EAPS Operating Millage Proposal.
The EAPS asked voters to approve an 18-mill levy on non-homestead properties for six years, increasing the tax limitation by 2.6061 mills, or $2.6061 for every $1,000 of taxable property value.
“I’m thankful to the community for approving our Headlee Override,” EAPS Superintendent Coby Fletcher said after the election. “Being able to levy the full 18-mill operating millage voters approved in 2016 will allow us to continue to support the excellent work that goes on in our schools. It’s a great day to be an Eskymo!”
The proposal appeared as a tax increase for the community, though it only applies to non-homestead properties, which include businesses, rental properties and second homes -- not primary residences.
The estimate of the revenue the school district will collect with the millage approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $170,500, according to the district.
According to the EAPS, approval of an 18 mill Operating Millage on non-homestead properties is necessary for school districts in Michigan to receive their full state aid foundation allowance.
In 2016, EAPS voters approved an 18 mill Operating Millage on non-homestead properties for a period of 15 years. This millage will expire in 2031.
However, a Headlee Rollback prevented the district from levying the full 18 mill Operating Millage approved by voters in 2015. Prior to Tuesday's election, the EAPS could only levy 17.3939 mills.
Nearly all Michigan school districts levy an 18-mill operating millage on non-homestead properties to qualify for state school funding. Revenues from that millage support daily school operations.
The Michigan Headlee Amendment, approved by voters in 1978, requires local governments to reduce millage rates when property value growth exceeds inflation. The rollback is intended to limit increases in property tax revenue without voter approval.
Earlier this year, Kevin Pascoe, director of business services for EAPS, said failing to restore the millage could have cost the district nearly $1 million over the remaining six years of its current 15-year operating term. The state does not replace revenue lost to a Headlee Rollback.
As for Cornell Township, voters approved the townships' fire millage renewal proposal in Tuesday's election.
The millage passed with 202 “yes” votes (71.63% of the overall vote) and 80 “no” votes (28.37%).
The previous voted increase in the tax limitation on general ad valorem taxes within Cornell Township -- imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution -- has been renewed at one mill, or $1 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of 10 years, 2028 to 2037 inclusive.
The renewal is reportedly for the purpose of operations, maintenance, building and updating equipment, including personnel protective equipment and training of firemen,
The estimated revenue generated from the one mill that will be collected in the first year the millage is authorized and levied is $30,871.72.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.