Kentwood, Kelloggsville — Tuesday, May 4, is Election Day and voters have issues on the ballot in just two public school districts, Kentwood and Kelloggsville.
The biggest item is a $192.15 million bond proposal in Kentwood that, if passed, will fund a new K-8 school for students who opt for a balanced calendar school-year schedule, a new Career Technology Education Center and upgrades and enhancements to all district facilities. See more details here.
The bond would not result in a millage rate increase, but would actually result in a projected net decrease of 0.25 mills, said Todd Bell, executive director of finance and business operations. The decrease is possible right now due to low interest rates, the district’s excellent bond rating and increased commercial and residential property values in Kentwood. The district’s current millage levy is 4.25 ($4.25 per $1,000 in taxable value), the lowest in the county. That amount would decrease to a projected 4.00.
In Kelloggsville, voters will consider renewal of an 18-mill operating millage, set to expire this year. The millage is levied against non-homestead property, with principal-residence properties exempt from being taxed by the proposal. The tax was due to expire in 2019, but voters that year renewed it, in a 301-154 vote, for two more years.
This May’s request would extend the renewal for another two years. Approval would not result in a tax increase, and will generate almost $3.5 million, or approximately 13% of the district’s annual budget in 2022.
Phil de Haan contributed to this article.
