On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, voters in Galesburg-Augusta will be asked to vote on whether to renew a property tax millage for six years, which supports the operations of Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools.
Is this a new millage or a millage increase?
Neither. It’s a renewal. The original three-year, 1.5-mill property tax millage was first approved by voters in May 2005 and then most recently renewed in 2020. This is a request to renew the millage for another six years. If approved, taxpayers would continue paying the same millage rate they have been paying since 2005.
How does the school district currently use the money?
The G-A Board of Education, along with the district superintendent, decides district budget needs and priorities. Millage funds are used to support instructional services, support services and other district priorities and operating expenditures.
How much do the schools get from this millage?
Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools will get approximately $425/student.
As the fiscal agent, Kalamazoo RESA distributes all tax revenues from this millage back to each of the local school districts in Kalamazoo county. Each school district and charter school receives the same per-student amount ($425/student). For Galesburg-Augusta, this is approximately $415,000.
How much would this renewal request cost the taxpayer?
Since the enhancement millage is a renewal, it would not cause any increase in tax rates. Homeowners would pay based on the taxable value of their home, which is typically about half of the market value. A homeowner with a home with a taxable value of $75,000 (approximate market value of $150,000) pays ~$112.50/year, which is ~$9.38/month.
When will the Enhancement Millage be voted on by voters?
The registered voters in each of the nine school districts in Kalamazoo county will be asked to vote on May 2, 2023, on whether to renew the 1.5-mill property tax millage.
How many years is the millage good for this renewal?
Six years.
When is the last day to register to vote?
The last day to register to vote by mail for this election is Monday, April 17, 2023, using the form available at www.michigan.gov/documents/MIVoterRegistration_97046_7.pdf.
An individual can register to vote online by visiting www.michigan.gov/voterregistration. Voters may register in person through Election Day, May 2, 2023, during any hours in which the local election clerk’s office is open.
Source, additional information, and language on the ballot can be found at: https://www.kresa.org/millage