VOTE: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, residents within the Sparta Area Schools district will be asked to vote on a proposal to renew the 18 mill operating tax levy.

Because of the operating millage’s significance to our district, we would like to provide as much helpful information as we can on this topic. If you still have questions after reviewing this document, please contact Superintendent Joel Stoner 616-887-8253.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a school district operating millage? 

A: As a result of Proposal A, the Statewide school finance reform that voters passed in 1994, Michigan school districts must levy an 18 mill local property tax on non-homestead property for a specific time period in order to receive its full per-pupil funding. Michigan school districts must seek voter authorization for the 18 mill levy prior to the expiration of said levy. The operating millage provides critical funds to support day to day operations of the school including but not limited to staffing costs, instructional programs, instructional materials, transportation and maintenance. This money cannot be replaced by other sources. 

Q: Is this a new tax? 

A: No. This proposal is a reauthorization of the current 18 mill non-homestead property tax last approved by voters in August 2014. The term requested with the reauthorization is for 10 years. 

Q: Will my home property taxes go up if this passes? 

A: No. Your home property tax rate will remain the same. For homeowners and businesses alike, nothing will change with rates: homeowners don’t pay this tax and businesses will continue to pay a tax they’ve been paying all along since the passage of Proposal A in 1994. A person’s principal residence and qualified properties are exempted by law. 

Q: Will my home property taxes go down if this is defeated? 

A: No. Your home property rate will remain the same; the rate will drop only for commercial, industrial, and rental businesses. However, if the proposal is defeated by the voters if would result in a loss of approximately $3million in operating revenue and a dramatic reduction of educational programs offered by the school district. 

Q: What is a non-homestead property? 

A: A non-homestead property is any property that is not an owned primary residence. Examples of non-homestead properties include vacation homes, investment and rental properties, industrial and commercial properties, and businesses. 

Q: Do businesses and commercial entities pay this operating tax in other districts? 

A: Yes.  Regardless of which district a business may be located in within Michigan, a school district must levy the operating tax in order for it to receive its full funding from the State of Michigan. 

Q: When does Sparta Area Schools operating millage expire? 

A: Sparta Schools operating millage was last authorized by voters in August of 2014 for a period of 10 years.

Q: How much revenue does the operating millage generate for Sparta Area Schools?  

A: The operating millage generates approximately $3million annually. 

Q: How many mills is Sparta Area Schools Currently levying?   

A: Sparta Area Schools is currently levying 18.0mills. 

Q: Why is the district asking for a renewal of 18.5358 if the levy is 18? 

A: In August of 2014, the Sparta community passed the operating renewal for a total of 18.70 mill. The Headlee rollback has reduced the millage rate to 18.5358 over the past 9 years. The district is not authorized to levy more than 18 mill, but the .5358 will protect the 18 mill from Headlee rollback up to the .5358. Authorizing the renewal for 18.5358 is a true renewal of our current approved operating levy. 

Q: What is a Headlee Rollback? 

A: In 1978, Michigan voters approved the “Headlee” tax limitation amendment to the Michigan Constitution. It requires local units of government (including school districts) to reduce its millage when annual growth on existing property values is greater than inflation. 

Q: How can Sparta Schools avoid a Headlee Rollback?

A: Districts cannot avoid a Headlee Rollback. However, in an effort to combat the effects of a Headlee Rollback, school districts can seek voter authorization for more than the 18 mill levy and/or shorter authorization period. Sparta is seeking approval for 18.5358 mills over a ten (10) year period. Electing 18.5358 mills allows the additional mill to act as insurance to make up any difference over the 10 years to keep it at or as close to 18 as possible. This does NOT allow a school district to levy more than 18 mills at any time for the operating millage. 

Q: What is a mill? 

A: A mill is $1.00 for every $1,000 of taxable valuation property. Example: If a commercial property has a $100,000 taxable value, then the 18 mill operating millage would cost $1,800 on that property. 

Q: Wasn’t there a bond passed in 2019?  

A: The operating millage is unrelated to the bond passed in 2019 for construction of the Middle School. That bond money can only be used for building improvements and construction and cannot be used for operating expenses. 

Q: Who is eligible to vote on the operating millage? 

A: Any registered voter living within Sparta Area Schools District boundaries. 

Q: Where do I vote? 

A: Voting takes place at the same location as national and state elections. You can find your polling location by going to: mvic.sos.state.mi.us/voter/index

Q: When will the election take place?

A: The election will take place on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Polls are open from 7am. until 8pm. 

Q: What would happen if this does not pass?

A: If the proposal is defeated by the voters if would result in a loss of approximately $3 million in operating revenue annually from our annual operating fund. Losing these funds would have a major impact on the quality of the educational programming offered to our students. 

Q: What will the actual ballot language say? 

A: Sparta Area Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal.  This proposal will allow the school district to continue 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 and renews millage that will expire with the 2025 tax levy. Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18.5358 mills ($18.5358 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Sparta Area Schools, Kent and Ottawa Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 10 years, 2026 to 2035, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2026 is approximately $3,038,785 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2025 tax levy)?