Officials say, the vote should be a no-brainer, as the millage renewal will not raise taxes that area residents are not already paying towards school safety and technology.
If passed, the home-owner tax would continue to levy roughly $.98 for every $1,000 of taxable property beginning in 2024 and lasting nearly a decade, or until the year 2033.
According to the Housing Market Report released last month, the median listing home price in Muskegon, MI was $170k in March. If the millage renewal passes, the owner of that home would pay around $85 per year.
Steve Edwards is the Superintendent of Reeths-Puffer Schools. He says, when kids feel safe at school, it reflects in their grades.
If the millage is approved, Edwards says his district would receive around $700,000 in funding towards safety and security, giving Reeths-Puffer the ability to replace outdated security camera equipment.
Officials say, while each school district will have the authority to use the funds however they choose, the millage will provide a county-wide-emergency-operations plan; meaning, a coordinated effort with Muskegon Law Enforcement should a district face an active shooter situation or other threat to student safety.
The vote is set for May 2nd.