Saline Area Schools Placing Millage Renewals on August Ballot

The Saline Area School Board of Education approved a resolution at its April 28 meeting to submit sinking fund and recreation and playground (CARES) millage renewals proposals for the special election held on Tuesday, August 4.

At the school board meeting on the 28th, school district staff gave a presentation on the millage renewals, including what they look like financially and how they are used.

One immediate detail that stands out is that, if approved by voters, there would be no financial change to current tax rates. It’s a simple renewal vote to the millage set to expire after the 2027 tax levy. A yes vote in August would renew them for another 10 years (2028 to 2037).  

Looking at the numbers, according to the district, for every $100,000 of taxable value the sinking fund would be $34.21 per year (0.3421 mill) while CARES –Recreation and Playground millage would be $48.89 per year (0.4889 mill).

With the millage, all properties are subject to the Headlee rollback. Both millages are enabled through legislative acts with voter approval.

If approved, the CARES millage would generate $1.39 million in the 2028 levy.

CARES was first approved by voters in 2000 at 0.85 mills, and again in 2009 with a reduction to 0.5 mills with the addition of the sinking fund, and then again in 2017 at 0.5 mills.

The CARES millage continues to support the: Saline Senior Center, Ellen Ewing Performing Arts Center, Community Pool at Saline High School, general recreation, before and after care, preschool operations, and grants for local organizations.

The stated purpose of the CARES Recreation Millage is to provide funding for recreation programs and facilities that enhance the life of residents within the Saline Area School District community.

The Sinking Fund is defined as a voted millage of up to 3 mills that may be used for the purchase of real estate sites, the construction and repair of school buildings and facilities, school security improvements, acquiring and installing instructional technology.

If approved by Saline school district voters, it would generate $975,421 in the 2028 levy. It first passed in 2009 at 0.35 mills and then passed again in 2017 at 0.35 mills. The school district said it cannot be used on salaries, benefits, general operations, routine maintenance or equipment.

It was amended in 2017, so that it could also be used for school security and instructional technology.

Examples of how the sinking fund is used are repairs, such as roofs, security needs, construction of smaller projects than larger bond projects, pavement projects and short term traffic improvements, and instructional technology purchases.

Here is the example of the ballot language provided in the Saline school board meeting packet:

Photo 1: Saline Area Schools will go to the voters. Photo by Heather Finch