School taxes on Tuesday ballot

WARREN, Mich. - A number of Detroit area public school districts will ask voters Tuesday to approve higher taxes for school improvements, according to The Detroit News.

The largest request is Fitzgerald Public Schools in Macomb County, where voters will be asked to approve a $68.4 million bond issue for technology updates and a new elementary school, The News reported. The district estimates it would need to levy 5.25 mills in the first year to begin repayments, according to The News.

Harper Woods School District will ask voters for 0.5 mill for five years to make up for revenue lost due to declining property values, The News reported. Romulus Community Schools is asking for a 10-year continuation of an operating millage of 16.63 mills for homestead property and an increase from 17.5 to 18 mills on non-homestead property, according to The News. It also is seeking to increase its sinking fund authorization from 0.75 to 5 mills, the report said.

Grand Blanc Community Schools will ask voters to renew a 1-mill sinking fund levy for five more years, which would bring in $1.7 million annually, according to The News. Huron School District is requesting a 1.59-mill increase to raise $9.82 million for building upgrades.

SOURCE:
The Detroit News, "Tax increases jam school ballots," April 30, 2010

FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "A Michigan School Money Primer: Local Property Taxes by Type," May 30, 2007