Sinking fund, fire renewal proposals go to the voters

Bare-minimum request for safety and maintenance

 

ALMONT — For the third time this year, voters in the Almont school district will be going to the polls, this time to determine the outcome of a proposed $5 million sinking fund.

The first two school elections were for multi-million dollar bond issues, that if they had been successful, would have meant major upgrades throughout the district. Both were turned down by wide margins.

This time, there is NO fieldhouse question as part of the ballot. And, NO funding request for a turf football field.

“While I have been out meeting people and getting the word out about the sinking fund, I’ve had people say they are not voting for a fieldhouse, or a turf football field.” Supt. Kimberly VonHiltmayer said. “They don’t understand still, that neither of those things is on this ballot.”

School officials say the sinking fund dollars would go primarily to safety and maintenance throughout the district.

“Student and staff safety is #1 for us,” VonHiltmayer said. “We need to have a safe and secure environment for learning. We also need to address some serious concerns with maintenance.”

Dealing with both safety and maintenance, the district hopes to replace windows and doors that would be more efficient and help reduce costs.

Other improvements would be with HVAC items and bleacher replacement in some of the district’s gymnasiums.

Voters in the Almont school district will see the following question on their ballot.

ALMONT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS SINKING FUND MILLAGE PROPOSAL

“Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Almont Community Schools, Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland Counties, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 2 mills ($2.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 5 years, 2024 to 2028, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for the purchase of real estate for sites for, and the construction or repair of, school buildings; for school security improvements; for the acquisition or upgrading of technology; for the acquisition of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used for the maintenance of student transportation vehicles; for the acquisition of eligible trucks and vans used to carry parts, equipment, and personnel for or in the maintenance of school buildings; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used to maintain such trucks and vans; and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2024 is approximately $997,858?”

A 10-year fire department millage renewal is also on the ballot for Almont area voters.

If successful, the millage would collect $490,803 in the first year with funding going towards operation and maintenance of the department and equipment.

The renewal would generate in the area of $5 million over the life of the millage, if it’s approved.

The ballot language for the fire department is as follows:

RENEWAL OF MILLAGE FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Shall the constitutional limitation upon the total amount of taxes which may be levied on all taxable real and personal property in the Township of Almont, Lapeer County, Michigan be increased by one (1) mill for each one ($1.00) dollar ($1 for each $1,000) of the taxable value of such property, as finally equalized, pursuant to 33PA 1951, as amended for a period of ten (10) years (2026 thru 2035 inclusive) for the purpose of providing funds for the operation and maintenance of the township fire department, purchase of fire extinguishing apparatus and equipment and housing for the same? The estimated revenue to be collected in the first year that the millage is authorized and levied is to be $490,803. A portion of the revenue collected will be disbursed to the Village of Almont Downtown Development Authority. The proposed millage is a renewal of a previously authorized millage and does not constitute new additional millage.”

The Tri-City Times will be monitoring election results and publish them as soon as possible.