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Ballot question

Kent County: John Ball Zoo and Grand Rapids Public Museum millage renewal

On the ballot in
Kent County
Vote
Yes or no
Election
Nov 3, 2026

The question, as printed on the ballot

For the purpose of renewing dedicated funding for the care of animals and artifacts, repair and improvement of exhibits, and providing enhanced educational programs, shall the total limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all taxable property in Kent County be renewed at 0.4086 mill ($0.4086 on each $1,000 of taxable value) on all Real and Personal Property subject to taxation for the period 2026 through 2035, inclusive, which would be allocated to the John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum? The amount raised by the levy in the first year is estimated at $15,562,948.00. To the extent permitted by law, a portion of the revenues from this millage will be captured by local authorities for authorized purposes. The total amount of captured tax increment revenues from such millage in the first calendar year of the levy is estimated at $399,110.86. The tax increment authorities in Kent County, capturing a portion of this tax levy, include the following: the Downtown Development Authorities for the Cities of Cedar Springs, Grandville, Lowell, Rockford, and Walker, the Charter Township of Cascade, the Townships of Bowne, Sparta, and Tyrone; the Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities of Cascade Township, Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kent County, Kentwood, Plainfield Charter Township, Rockford, Walker, and Wyoming; the Monroe North Tax increment Financing Authority; and Corridor Improvement Authority of the City of Grand Rapids.

A “Yes” vote means

A yes vote renews a 0.4086-mill Kent County property tax for 2026–2035 for the John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

A “No” vote means

A no vote rejects the renewal.

Sources

The question and plain English statement are copied word for word from official election materials. The Gist does not take a side on ballot questions.