Caledonia — Caledonia Community Schools will ask voters to consider renewing its non-homestead operating millage Tuesday, May 6, saying it provides “critical funding” for school operations.
This is not a new or increasing tax, but a renewal of the previous five-year non-homestead operating tax levy, allowing the district to levy the state-required 18 mills on non-homestead properties.
Approval of the renewal would allow the district to receive the full state foundation allowance of $9,608 per pupil. If it were to fail, district officials say, Caledonia would lose more than $15.6 million in funding — approximately 22% of the district’s total operating budget.
The district is also asking for an additional 0.5 mills built into the proposal to guard against future rollbacks required by the Headlee Amendment, ensuring full funding is maintained if district property values exceed the rate of inflation. Although the ballot language asks for the millage to be renewed by 18.7741 mills and increased by 0.5 mills, Caledonia is not allowed by state law to levy more than 18. The additional requested mills provide a buffer to ensure the district can collect its full 18 mills if property values trigger the Headlee rollback.
Voters approved an additional 1.8 mills in 2018, and within three years, half of that authorization was used, district officials say. Given current rates of rollback, the district’s projections show the rest of the 1.8 mills being used before the end of the next five years.
The millage does not impact primary residences or qualifying agricultural properties. It only applies to businesses, rental properties, second homes and commercial properties. The 18 mills equates to $1,800 per $100,000 of a property’s taxable value.
According to communications shared by the district, “This renewal is vital to maintain critical funding for student programs, staffing, school safety, and essential services. … If the millage renewal does not pass, CCS would lose a significant portion of its funding, resulting in drastic cuts to essential services, staffing, and student programs.”
Voters can learn more about the proposal from Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer in two upcoming information sessions, April 22 and 29. Both are from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Caledonia Resource Center. For more information on the proposal and ballot language, visit the district’s website.
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