The Kent County Republican Party Guide to the May 2 Local Elections

Katie DeBoer

Written by
March 29, 2023

Compiled by Jason Besley

For a full description of what will appear on the ballot in areas of Kent County, please visit AccessKent here.

To estimate what homeowners pay in property taxes in various parts of Michigan, you can visit Michigan's website here.

See more details in the Michigan Taxpayer’s Guide from the state legislature, visit here.

Key Terms to know:

Millage – Usually a local property tax. Every 1 mill is a tax of $1 per $1000 of taxable value.

Taxable value – The property’s value used for tax purposes. This value is the result of a process that begins with an assessment at 50% of the property’s estimated market value and then adjusts for other factors. You can find your property’s taxable value on your last tax bill or online at bsaonline.com.

Principal Residence Exemption – By state law, a principal residence (i.e. home) is exempt from school operating millages, so these taxes are collected only from other properties, such as rentals, care facilities, and other businesses.

Operating Millage – A tax that funds the annual budget, for example, of a school district. By state law, a primary residence is exempt from school operating millages. (This means that these costs are typically borne by renters, care facility residents, and customers of local businesses.)

Bond Proposal – An election to determine whether a public entity (such as a school district) will borrow to fund capital improvements such as new buildings, technology, and athletic facilities. The proposal usually includes an estimate as to what millage rate will be needed to repay the borrowing.

The upcoming millage proposals listed below include for reference a projected total cost (over the years that the proposal is in effect, but without accounting for increases) to
a) A homeowner of a house with a $300,000 market value and $130,000 taxable value,
b) A renter of a duplex with a $150,000 market value and $60,000 taxable value, and
c) A business property with a $500,000 market value and a $190,000 taxable value

The Kent County Republican Party supports the right of voters to choose local control and accountability when it comes to their taxdollars and their community library. We encourage all voters to research this proposal and decide for themselves, but support a 'YES' vote as a conservative choice.

City/Township Millages
Wyoming – 1.5 Mills for Fire, Police and First Responder services
New 1.5 mills for 10 years
Projected total cost to…
Homeowner: $1950
Renter: $900
Business: $2850

Algoma – Fire Protection Millage
0.5 mill increase for 10 years
Projected total cost to…
Homeowner: $650
Renter: $300
Business: $950

Algoma – Police Services Millage
0.54 mill new millage for 10 years
Projected total cost to…
Homeowner: $702
Renter: $324
Business: $1026

Algoma – Withdrawal from KDL (please see Library Proposal infographic)

School District Millages
Caledonia Community Schools – Bond Proposal
$61 million bond
Estimated 7.00 mills for 7 years on all property
Projected total cost to…
Homeowner: $6,370
Renter: $2,940
Business: $9,310

Comstock Park Public Schools – Bond Proposal
$59.46 million bond
Estimated 9.95 mills for 34 years on all property
Projected total cost to…
Homeowner: $43,979
Renter: $20,298
Business: $64,277

East GR Public Schools – I. Operating Millage Renewal
18 mills for 6 years on non-exempt property
Projected total cost to…
Homeowner: $0
Renter: $6,668
Business: $21,116

East GR Public Schools – II. Operating Millage Proposal
Increase tax limits by 3.0 mills for 6 years on non-exempt property
Projected total cost to…
Homeowner: $0
Renter: $1,080
Business: $3,420

Grandville Public Schools – Operating Millage Proposal
Increase to 19 mills for 4 years on non-exempt property
Projected total cost to…
Homeowner: $0
Renter: $4,560
Business: $14,440

Kelloggsville Public School District – Operating Millage Proposal
Renewal of 18.4569 mills and increase of 0.50 mill for 2 years on non-exempt property
Projected total cost to…
Homeowner: $0
Renter: $2,275
Business: $7,204

Northview Public Schools – Recreation Millage Renewal
Renewal of 0.6973 mill for 20 years on all property
Projected total cost to…
Homeowner: $1,813
Renter: $837
Business: $2,650

Northview Public Schools – Sinking Fund Millage Renewal
Renewal of 1.1462 mills for 10 years on all property
Projected total cost to…
Homeowner: $1,491
Renter: $688
Business: $2,180

Wayland Union Schools – Bond Proposal
$49.7 million bond
Estimated 8.4 mills for 7 years on all property
Projected total cost to…
Homeowner: $7,644
Renter: $3,528
Business: $11,172