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Ballot question

Merrill Community School District: operating millage renewal (non-homestead)

On the ballot in
Merrill Community Schools
Vote
Yes or no
Election
Nov 3, 2026

The question, as printed on the ballot

This proposal, if approved by the electors, would, renew, restore and extend the authority of the School District to levy the statutory limit of 18 mills on all property, except principal residences and other property exempted by law, which currently expires with the School District’s 2026 tax levy and allow the School District to continue to levy the statutory limit of 18 mills in the event of future Headlee rollbacks required by the Michigan Constitution of up to 2 mills. The authorization will allow the School District to continue to receive revenues at the full per pupil foundation allowance permitted by the State. Shall the limitation on the total amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residences and other property exempted by law, situated within the Merrill Community School District, Counties of Saginaw, Midland and Gratiot, State of Michigan, be increased, in the amount of 20 mills with 18 mills being the maximum allowable levy ($18.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation), for a period of ten (10) years, 2027 to 2036, inclusive, with 19.6240 mills of the above 20 mills being a renewal of authorized millage which will otherwise expire with the 2027 tax levy and 0.3760 mills being a restoration of previously authorized millage lost as a result of the rollbacks required by the Michigan Constitution? This operating millage if approved and levied, would provide estimated revenues to the School District of $779,321 during the 2027 calendar year, to be used for general operating purposes.

A “Yes” vote means

A yes vote renews and restores a 20-mill non-homestead operating tax limit for 2027–2036, of which the district may levy 18 mills.

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.