Non-Homestead Operating Millage

On May 6, 2025, Kearsley Community Schools will ask voters to approve a Non-Homestead Operating Millage, allowing the district to continue levying 18 mills on non-homestead property. 

This is not a new tax and will not impact the taxes on the house in which you live; it only impacts commercial, industrial, second homes, and rental properties.  

Last time this proposal was on the ballot, August 2015, the community strongly supported and passed it overwhelmingly by a 860-282 margin.

This millage is required by the State of Michigan in order for us to receive our full amount of state funding. This operating millage supports all district operations including staff, learning materials and resources and student programming.  

Vote May 6

Millage Background:

  • Supported by Kearsley voters since its inception in 1994

  • Required by the State to receive full funding

  • Impacts ALL Kearsley students and staff

Properties Affected:

  • Businesses

  • Second homes

  • Rental properties

  • NOT primary residences or agricultural

Financial Facts:

  • Provides approximately $2.1 million in funding to the district in 2025

  • 18 mills levy max (19 mills authorized)

  • This is not an additional tax

Funds Are Used For:

  • General operating budget

  • Student programming

  • Staffing

  • Student services & support

Ballot Language

KEARSLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATING MILLAGE PROPOSAL

This proposal will allow the school district 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. The remaining 1 mill is only available to be levied to restore millage lost as a reduction required by the “Headlee” amendment to the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will only be levied to the extent necessary to restore that reduction.

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Kearsley Community School District, Genesee County, Michigan, be increased by 19 mills ($19.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2025 to 2034, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 0.4949 mill is levied in 2025 is approximately $58,172 and 18 mills are levied in 2026 is approximately $2,075,550 (this will replace millage that will expire with the 2025 tax levy)?

Your Vote Matters!

Voter Registration Deadlines:

  • Email - by Mon April 21, 2025

  • Post - received by Mon April 21, 2025

  • In Person - May 6, 2025

Register to Vote
Request Absentee Ballot

Learn about voting in Michigan - Register to vote, apply for an absentee ballot & more by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center

Election and Absentee Voting Timelines

Sat, March 22 (on or before) - Absent voter ballots must be available to be sent to voters serving in the military or living overseas.

Thurs, March 27 - Absent voter ballots must be available to be sent to members of the general public.

Mon, April 7 (on or before) - Registration notice must be published by the Election Coordinator once in a newspaper of general circulation in the School District.

Mon, April 21- Last day for voters to register by mail. Voters may register in person through Tuesday, May 6, 2025 (election day) with the required documentation.

Tues, April 29 (on or before) - Election notice must be published by the Election Coordinator once in a newspaper of general circulation in the School District.

Sat, May 3 and/or Sun, May 4 - Election clerk offices must be open for a combination of at least 8 hours on the last Saturday and/or Sunday before the election to issue and receive absent voter ballots. The election clerk must post notice of those date(s) and time(s) at least 30 days before the election (Mon, April 7.)

Tues, May 6 Election Day - Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voters will cast their ballots in the same precinct where they vote during the general elections.  Please contact the Genesee County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office for a complete list of voting precincts.

Frequently Asked Questions

On May 6, 2025, Kearsley  Community Schools will ask voters to approve a Non-Homestead Operating Millage Renewal, allowing the district to continue levying 18 mills on non-homestead property (businesses, commercial, and rental property). This renewal will not affect the taxes on the house in which you live; it is only levied on commercial, industrial, second homes, and rental properties.