Eastpointe board discusses May special election to restore non‑homestead operating millage

Dr. John Dean, a district administrator, told the Eastpointe Community Schools board that administrators will ask the board to call a special election in May to replace the district's non-homestead operating millage and to authorize up to 22 mills, which would functionally preserve the legally levied 18 mills while adding a four-mill cushion to offset annual Headlee Amendment rollbacks.

Why it matters: The district's non-homestead millage is a significant local revenue source for daily operations; Dean said the levy generates about $5.7 million for Eastpointe this year and that state funding formulas assume districts levy 18 non-homestead mills. Because the Headlee Amendment reduces that levy slightly over time, Dean said the district has begun to collect less than the state formula assumes, creating an ongoing shortfall.

Dean explained how the proposal would work: voters would be asked to approve a single ballot request that replaces the current millage and authorizes a total of 22 mills, but state law would limit actual annual levies to 18 mills. "There's almost like a scale that's happening over time," he said, describing the four-mill cushion as a mechanism to allow the district to recapture millage lost to the Headlee Amendment as it rolls back rates annually.

Administrators provided local context, saying most neighboring districts in Macomb County levy the full 18 mills and that Eastpointe currently levies fewer mills because of cumulative Headlee rollbacks. Dean urged the board to consider the resolution to call a May 5 special election and said staff will supply sample ballot language and community-facing materials. He emphasized the district cannot tell residents how to vote and that communications will be informational.

Officials stressed who would pay: administrators said homeowners' primary residences are not subject to the non-homestead levy and that landlords, businesses, vacant parcels and second homes are the taxable classes. They noted tenants are not direct taxpayers of the millage, although some pass-through effects from landlords cannot be ruled out.

Next steps: The transcript shows detailed presentation and a plan for community outreach, including a parent Zoom session and printed materials; however, the transcript does not record a formal vote to call the special election. The board is expected to receive the formal resolution and sample materials for consideration at an upcoming meeting before any election is scheduled.

Authorities and context: Presenters referred repeatedly to the Headlee Amendment (Michigan), which adjusts local millage capacity, and to the state's foundation funding mechanism that assumes an 18-mill non-homestead levy when calculating district funding. The board was given comparative information about neighboring districts' millage levels and an explanation of the difference between bond (construction) funds and general operating millage.

The board and administration said they will continue public information efforts in the coming weeks, and if a resolution is approved the district would seek a May special election date for voter consideration.