Almont voters approve non-homestead

Back to the polls in the fall for Sinking Fund request

ALMONT — Voters in the Almont Community School district gave approval for a non-homestead ballot pertaining to their operational millage, saving officials from having to look at making cuts throughout the district.

“We are very pleased with the results of the election,” School Board President Janaea Smith said at a special meting Aug. 6. “No one wanted to even think about having to make cuts, which would have happened had not the vote been a positive outcome.”

For a variety of reasons, including a perception of a lack of trust and transparency by the board, voters have not been in favor of two previous millage proposals.

“I think we have things going in the right direction now,” Smith explained. “We have our new superintendent (Kyle Wood), several new staff including principals and administrative staff and we are ready to keep things moving in what we hope is a positive direction.”

The approval of the millage renewal means saving the district having to cut over $1 million in programs.

The millage renewal passed by a count of 1,156 yes to 745 no votes. 1,901 votes were counted and equaled a 36% voter turnout.

The district is not totally out of the woods yet but continue to work hard to gain the trust and confidence of taxpayers.

At the special meeting on August 6, the board met to discuss the district’s Sinking Fund.

With deadlines looming with the State Elections Bureau, should they decide to go back to the voters this fall, the Almont school board wasted no time in keeping their foot on the gas pedal.

President Smith said, “If we decide to move forward with a sinking fund request, we have deadlines to meet and it’s in a matter of a few days, not weeks.”

The board approved a motion to go back to their voters this fall, seeking a two-mill sinking fund request that if approved, would generate $1,094,871 the first year. The request is for four years.

The district’s financial director, Kathy Merrifield, said if approved, the millage would be, “a no-mill net increase” to what taxpayers are currently paying.

Taxpayers were paying 8 mills in 2023 and saw the amount levied to 3 mills in 2024. The millage is due to drop to 2.6 next year.

According to the wording that will appear on the ballot, sinking funds money could be used for construction or repair of school buildings, for school security, acquisition or upgrading technology, equipment used to maintain trucks and vans and more.

During last week’s special meeting, board members agreed to form a committee comprised of staff, board members and members of the community to oversee a list of sinking fund projects and make recommendations based on most immediate needs.

Board members, working from a compiled list earlier this year, agreed three of the district’s biggest needs currently are HVAC system, roof repairs and sidewalk updates across the school’s campus.