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2024 Millage Proposal

MelNAP 2024 Millage Proposal

Greetings MelNAP Families,
 
Voting season is upon us and I want to make sure that you completely understand what to expect when you go to the polls on February 27, 2024. I have created a Q&A document for you to review before you vote. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,
Ryan Vranesich
Superintendent
 
Your Vote Counts
February 27, 2024
 
Proposal Section
Local School District
MELVINDALE-NORTHERN ALLEN PARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPERATING MILLAGE REPLACEMENT PROPOSAL
This proposal will, replace, restore and extend the authority of the School District to levy the statutory limit of 18 mills on all property, except principal residences and other property exempted by law which currently expires with the School District's 2028 tax levy and allow the School District to continue to levy the statutory limit of 18 mills in the event of future Headlee rollbacks of up to 10 mills. The authorization will allow the School District to continue to receive revenues at the full per pupil foundation allowance permitted by the State.

Shall the limitation on the total amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residences and other property exempted by law, situated within the Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public Schools, County of Wayne, State of Michigan, be increased, in the amount of 28 mills with 18 mills being the maximum allowable levy ($18.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation), for a period of ten (10) years, 2024 to 2033, inclusive, with 17.9046 mills of the above 28 mills being a replacement of authorized millage which will otherwise expire on December 31, 2028 and 0.0954 mills being a restoration of previously authorized millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution? This operating millage if approved and levied, would provide estimated revenues to the School District of $7,663,145 during the 2024 calendar year, to be used for general operating purposes.
 
No, this is not a new tax. All districts in Michigan count on and are expected to use Operating Millage funds to support the district operational budget.
No, a Bond and a Millage are two very different things. Funds from a Millage can be used on things like salaries for teachers, parapros, counselors, social workers, custodians, secretaries and more. They can also be used for programs like athletics, music, and art to list a few. Other examples include transportation, administration, special services for students, and facility maintenance costs. Bond funds are used for very specific things like building renovations, upgrades, new buses and some technology. Bond funds CANNOT be used for regular, day to day items like salaries. Remember, this Melvindale Northern-Allen Park Operating Millage Replacement Proposal does NOT affect homeowner property taxes on primary residences.
If the Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Operating Millage Replacement Proposal does not pass, the district runs the risk of having to cut costs and programs because it counts on this Operating Millage to support its operational, day to day, budget. As mentioned above, operational budgets include things like transportation, maintenance costs, salaries, materials, student programming etc.
No, these funds cannot be replaced by other sources, and these revenues would be lost. MelNAP would be required to reduce or cut programs to offset the loss.
No, your property taxes will not increase on your primary residence. As a primary residence owner, this millage will cost you nothing other than your time to vote.
Yes, eligible voters can vote on this issue.
Yes, if you are 18 years old and  a U.S. Citizen, you can vote and make a choice on the Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public Schools Operating Millage Replacement Proposal; this includes MelNAP students 18 years of age or older, who are eligible to vote. Check to see if you are registered to vote: mvic.sos.state.mi.us/voter/index

Mailing of absentee ballots begins on January 18, 2024. Absentee ballots can be requested a https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/avapplication

A Homestead property is the property you own and consider your primary residence, where you live. A Non-Homestead property is one that is not considered your primary home. It could be a second home like a cottage, a rental property, or a business.
It might feel complicated to some because the way Michigan schools are funded has significantly changed over time. It used to be that homeowners’ property taxes paid for a big chunk of the school budget. However, in March 1994, Michigan voters approved Proposal A, which completely changed how Michigan public schools are funded. 
 
Before Proposal A

  • Homeowners' property taxes paid for a large portion of the school budget.
  • Wealthier districts with higher property values could raise more money for their schools.
  • Poorer districts with lower property values had less money to spend on their students.
 
After Proposal A
 
  • The main source of school funding shifted from local property taxes to state sales taxes.
  • All school districts now receive a base amount of funding per student from the state, called the "foundation allowance." This amount is currently $9,608 per student for the 2023/24 school year.
  • The state assumes that districts will also collect 18 mills in property taxes from businesses and other non-homestead properties. This amount is deducted from the foundation allowance.
  • To collect the 18 mills, each district must hold a vote to ask voters for their approval. This vote is often called the "Headlee Rollback."
  • If voters do not approve the Headlee Rollback, the district's budget will not be fully funded.
I invite you to contact me either by phone at (313) 389-3300 or email me at [email protected]. I welcome the opportunity to connect with you. I am here to serve you.