Almont sinking fund proposal on November ballot
ALMONT — The Almont Community School Board has approved a ballot question for the Nov. 3 ballot, requesting a decision on a proposed sinking fund that would allow the district to plan ahead and address important needs that help students, staff and community.
The proposed measure would establish a tax levy of 2.00 mills—equivalent to $2.00 for every $1,000 of taxable value—each year for four years. This levy is expected to generate approximately $1,097,871 annually over the four-year period, helping reduce strain on the general operating budget to fund priority community needs.
A Michigan school sinking sund is a voter-approved local property tax that allows school districts to pay cash upfront for building repairs and unexpected capital projects instead of taking on long-term bond debt. By law, these funds are restricted to facility needs and cannot cover day-to-day operational costs such as teacher salaries, employee benefits or utilities.
If approved, the dedicated sinking fund would support essential repairs to school buildings and non-bus district vehicles, fund safety and security upgrades, and supply modern instructional technology and equipment for classrooms. District officials emphasize that the fund would enable responsible, long-term capital planning to protect community investments.
According to the district’s Sinking Fund Committee, safety and security remain the top focus when evaluating potential projects. Immediate priority items under consideration include repairs to select sidewalks and school flooring, with additional projects to be determined based on evolving district needs.
Unlike the district’s general operating budget—which relies on state per-pupil funding to cover daily staff salaries and educational programs—a sinking fund is strictly restricted to capital improvements and repairs. District leaders note that without a dedicated sinking fund, emergency maintenance costs would directly compete with classroom funding, potentially threatening student programs and competitive staff compensation.
On the ballot
The language on the ballot will appear as follows:
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 4 years, 2026 to 2029, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings; for school security improvements; 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 2026 is approximately $1,097,871?
FAQs
Here are frequently asked questions about the Almont Community Schools sinking fund proposal:
- What is a sinking fund? A sinking fund is a millage levied to fund school safety improvements, technology improvements, transportation and the repair and construction of school buildings. It is typically a “pay as you go” system that does not require borrowing money or paying interest.
- How is a sinking fund different from a school bond? A sinking fund differs from a school bond because a school bond is essentially a loan that a district takes out and pays back with interest over time, while a sinking fund is collected gradually without the need for borrowing or accruing interest.
- What is the term of the sinking fund proposal? The term of the sinking fund proposal is four (4) years generating a total of approximately $4,379,484. The district would not receive the total amount in one lump sum; the district would receive approximately $1,094,871 each year for four years.
- Why is the sinking fund on the November ballot? The passage of a sinking fund would afford the district an opportunity to address safety and building repairs and improvements to preserve the money it receives from the state to support instruction and programs.
- Can the sinking fund be used for operational costs and salaries? No, the law restricts sinking funds from being used for operational costs, such as staff salaries, textbooks, or general classroom supplies. The funds can only be used for building-related expenses such as repairs, technology upgrades, and infrastructure improvements.
- I am not a registered voter yet. What do I need to do? Visit the State of Michigan’s voter registration webpage.
- Who do I contact if I have more questions? Email kwood@almontschools.org or call Almont Community Schools Central Office: 810-798-8561.
Absentee ballots became available Sept. 25. You can contact your local voting location to obtain an absentee ballot if you so choose. Early voting will get underway in October.
