Non-Homestead Millage Renewal Requested by Portland Public Schools

On October 9th, 2023, the Portland Public Schools Board of Education approved the placement of a non-homestead millage renewal question on the February ballot.  The election is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27th, 2024 and will contain a request for renewing 18 mills for operations of the schools for a period of 4 years.  The millage renewal request will amount to $1,527,817 for the district per year, or about $736 for each student enrolled.

Non-homestead property tax applies only to non-homestead property such as businesses, rental properties, and second homes.  A primary residence is not affected by this tax levy.  Since this is a renewal of the current non-homestead property tax, those who are affected by the tax levy will not see an increase in their current taxes.  This renewal is to maintain the current 18 mills.

During this school year Portland Public Schools received $9,608 per student as its foundation allowance.  This includes the funding provided by the 18 mills which is up for renewal on February 27th. The millage request is equal to 5.2 percent of the district’s total funding sources for the 2023-2024 school year. In order to receive the full foundation allowance promised by the State, the 18 mill renewal is a necessary portion of that funding.  This renewal will maintain the current rates and will not cost any property owners any additional millage.  Failure to pass this resolution would result in a revenue loss for the district of $1,527,817.

The ballot includes the following description:  This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2024 tax levy. Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18 mills ($18.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Portland Public Schools, Ionia, Clinton and Eaton Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 4 years, 2025 to 2028, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2025 is approximately $1,527,817 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2024 tax levy)?

The millage is being requested to continue current district programs as the current 18 mills that voters passed four years ago will expire. If you have questions regarding the February 27th millage renewal election, please call (517) 647-4161 or visit https://www.portlandk12.org/2024-operating-millage for more information.