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Board hears plan to renew operating millage to avert $5.3 million revenue shortfall
Summary
Administrators urged the board to place a renewal of the district's operating millage on the ballot, warning that failing to levy the state-required 18 mills would cost the district about $5.3 million and that a renewal (20.28 mills total) likely must be approved by voters in August or November.
The Pinckney Community Schools board on a regular meeting heard a detailed presentation about the district's operating millage and the financial risk if it is not renewed.
An administrator summarized how the district's tax lines are structured and why the board must act to preserve state funding. "If we don't have that 18 mills in place it's a loss of $5.3 million," the administrator said, describing the district's reliance on levying 18 mills against non‑homestead property to receive the full foundation allowance.
Board members were told the district currently lists two operating millage lines that together total about 20.2839 mills. The extra line functions as a hedge against Headley rollbacks that automatically reduce millage when property values rise faster than inflation. The presenter described the practical effect of the Headley mechanism and why the district had historically restored levy amounts through a voter‑approved restoration.
Why it matters
School finance laws require districts to levy a minimum level of operating millage on non‑homestead property to qualify for full per‑pupil foundation revenue. The district's presenter said the 18‑mill levy is the statutory trigger and that the district has added a restoration line over time to return the levy to voter‑approved levels after rollbacks.
The board discussed timing and ballot strategy. Administrators recommended placing renewal language on a primary/august ballot to allow a fallback to November if necessary. "We're targeting to put it on August just in case it didn't work out," the presenter said, noting August and November are both low‑cost opportunities to ask voters.
Details from the presentation
- The district's two operating lines currently add to roughly 20.2839 mills; the original statutory requirement discussed was 18 mills on nonprincipal residences. - The presenter explained Headley rollbacks and said the extra line restores levy to voter‑approved levels after rollbacks. - The single‑year and multi‑year options were discussed; administrators said they are leaning toward a multi‑year renewal (five to ten years was discussed) to reduce the frequency of ballot questions. - The L4029 tax form and proposed ballot language will be brought back to the board in May for formal approval.
What the board decided next
Board members asked clarifying questions about the exact millage number and term length; administrators said they will present a proposed resolution and ballot language at the next board meeting and that the board must approve language at least 70 days before the ballot. No formal ballot resolution or recorded roll‑call vote to place the question appeared in the public transcript; staff described next steps and timelines for bringing the resolution for board action.
The board will review proposed ballot language and a resolution in a future meeting before placing the renewal question on an August or November ballot, depending on timing and clerical deadlines.
