2021 Primary Election Coverage

Three proposals head to voters on August primary ballot

Lansing lines up millage restoration for cops, firefighters, roads

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In addition to selecting top candidates running for office in the city Lansing, voters in Ingham County will have a chance to decide on two ballot proposals at the primary election on Aug. 3. Voters in Eaton County will also consider a bonding proposal for Potterville Public Schools.

Here are the details:

City of Lansing

A proposal on the August ballot aims to maintain tax revenues for the Lansing Police and Fire departments and fund local road and sidewalk maintenance. And if it doesn’t pass, the city could lose out on about $1.4 million annually, said City Council President Peter Spadafore.

If the proposal passes, the city will be authorized to maintain a 20-mill levy ($20 per $1,000 in taxable property value) that would otherwise roll back to about 19 mills at the end of the year, in accordance with the state constitution’s Headlee Amendment. The proposal would maintain the current rate at 19.44 mills, using the cash to pay staff and help cover day-to-day operations. 

Finance officials said the funds have already been accounted for in Mayor Andy Schor’s latest budget proposal. Its passage would help prevent layoffs and keep road repairs on schedule. 

 

Potterville Public Schools

This Eaton County school district wants voter approval to borrow about $28 million for building and site improvements, including for new high-efficiency energy systems in district classrooms. If approved, the millage rates would climb by 2.45 mills but the district would also decrease the sinking fund rate by 2.45 mills — meaning the total tax rate for property owners would stay flat.

The district’s plans include demolition of the existing childcare building and construction of an early childhood center, which would add early childhood programs at the elementary level. The financing would also cover playground improvements, upgraded classroom furniture and various building repairs at all school buildings. The middle and high school would also see a new gymnasium for fine arts and athletics, a remodeled athletic entrance and the addition of a “Viking Hall of Fame.” Parking lots and driveways would also be redone if the proposal passes. 

Voter-approved bond funds can be spent on new construction, additions, remodeling, athletic facilities, playgrounds, buses, furnishings and equipment but cannot be used on operational expenses like employee salaries and benefits, school supplies and textbooks for students.

A community forum about the bond proposal is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday (June 24).

Leslie Public Schools

This proposal aims to ensure the school district can continue receiving its full per-pupil funding allocation from the state government, enabling the continued collection of a statutory 18 mills on all non-homestead properties like vacation homes, businesses, land and other rental properties within the school district through 2030. That funding, unlike specific bonding proposals, can be rolled directly into daily district operations and provides more than 15% of the annual budget. 

If approved and levied in full, the district will collect about $1.5 million in tax revenue this year. 

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