Ann Arbor school district voters will see two millage renewals on the ballot in the May 6th election. The AAPS board voted unanimously to put the district's operating millage (non-homestead and hold-harmless), and sinking fund millage on the ballot. Both millages continue existing millages set to expire in 2009.
Restoration of Operating Millage
The operating millage consists of 18-mill non-homestead millage affecting only commercial property, rentals, and second homesteads. The homestead portion of the operating millage, at 4.72 mills, affects residential owners. The owner of a home with a market value of $200,000 and a taxable value of $100,000 pays $472 in taxes per year as a result of this millage.
The operating millage stems from the 1994 Proposal A law, which created a state per-pupil grant to go to each district. The operating millage makes up approximately 45% ($85 million) of the district's annual $180 million operating budget. Passage of the millage renewals is required in order for the Ann Arbor Public Schools to receive its full allocation of operating funds from the Michigan legislature. The State of Michigan will not make up this funding if the millage is not approved locally.
Restoration of Sinking Fund
The second millage on the ballot is the sinking fund, which is used for renovating and repairing district facilities. Voters last approved the 1-mill tax in 2004. The 2004 sinking fund was used for mechanical and electrical upgrades in all AAPS schools, new boilers and classroom ventilators, roof air handling systems, new plumbing fixtures and air conditioning for elementary school media centers and computer labs. With the continued support of the sinking fund millage the district would address school roof and parking lot repairs, new ceilings and lighting and school security and access improvements.
To learn more and have any questions addressed please join the Superintendent and his staff as well as members of the Citizen’s Millage Committee at one of these community meetings:
AAPS Community Millage Meetings
All begin at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, April 14 Slauson Middle School
Monday, April 21 Forsythe Middle School
Wednesday, April 23 Clague Middle School
Thursday, April 24 Scarlett Middle School
Thursday, May 1 Tappan Middle School
To find your polling place or receive an Absentee Ballot visit www.ewashtenaw.org
For more information, and/or to find out if you are registered to vote, go to the Citizens Millage Committee website at www.a2cmc.org or the AAPS web site at www.a2schools.org/2008millages.
