Area voters to decide key millages, races

TRI-CITY AREA — Voters across the area will head to the polls Tuesday or participate via absentee ballots or early voting.

In Lapeer County, voters in the Almont district are being asked to consider a sinking fund millage that school officials say is needed for repairs and maintenance.

Meanwhile, Imlay City voters will consider an operating millage that, if approved, would generate more than $2.8 million in its first year.

Local races

In what could significantly change the composition of the city commission, Imlay City features six candidates running for four seats.

Incumbents Barbara Yockey and Luke Stempien are seeking re-election, while newcomers include Tara Marsh, Trent Schoonover, Mike Vermeesch and Paula Janda.

In Almont, three candidates have filed for three four-year terms on the village council: Nathaniel Kellar, Stephen Powell and Steve Schneider. One seat on the village board remains vacant.

In the Village of Capac, candidates are running unopposed. Village President Debra Hlubic and Trustee Mary Klug face no challengers and will serve four-year terms.

In Emmett, Village President Patrick Robert Pierce is unopposed, as are Clerk Kathleen Keith-Pratt and Treasurer Joan Bowen. All three positions carry two-year terms. Two trustees, Matthew Belger and Amanda Hull, will fill partial terms ending in 2028.

School boards

Several local school districts have board seats up for election:

Capac: Candidates Rebecca Klupp and Joe Nemecek are seeking six-year terms. One board seat remains open.
Almont: Incumbents running unopposed are Adam Eckardt (six-year term), Sheri Ankley (four-year term), Janaea Smith (four-year term), Kati Rotarius (partial term expiring Dec. 31, 2028) and James Wade Jr. (partial term expiring Dec. 31, 2028).
Imlay City Community Schools: Five candidates are competing for three six-year terms: Kristina Allen, Thomas Blount, Bethany McClain, Douglas VanDyk and Dr. Laura Zelenak.
Dryden Community Schools: Four candidates are vying for three six-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2032: Bill Hearold, Danielle Lapka, Veronica Leija and Holly Yatros. Jacquelyn Buffo is running unopposed for a partial term expiring Dec. 31, 2030.
Brown City: Four candidates are running unopposed for four four-year terms: Ryan Banks, Robb Ginghell, Brooke Harnden and Theresa Kohler.
Croswell-Lexington: Incumbent Patti Shinn faces challenger Mike Harder for a partial term expiring Dec. 31, 2028. Jacob Garza is running unopposed for a six-year term.

Ballot proposals

Almont Community Schools Sinking Fund Millage Proposal

Voters in the Almont Community Schools district are considering a proposal to establish a sinking fund millage to support facility repairs, security upgrades and technology enhancements.

If approved, the measure would authorize the school board to levy up to 2 mills ($2 for every $1,000 of taxable property value) for a four-year period spanning 2026 through 2029. School officials estimate the tax would generate approximately $1,094,871 in its first year.

Revenues from the sinking fund would be dedicated exclusively to building repairs and construction, school security upgrades, technology infrastructure, and district maintenance vehicles and equipment.

For property owners within district boundaries across Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb, and Oakland counties, the tax impact would equal up to $200 annually for a home with a taxable value of $100,000. Under Michigan law, funds raised through a sinking fund millage cannot be used for routine operating expenses, teacher salaries, or administrative costs.

Imlay City Community Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

Imlay City Community Schools is asking voters to consider an operating millage renewal proposal that would allow the district to maintain its full state per-pupil funding allocation.

If approved, the measure would renew the district’s authority to levy up to 17.8304 mills — or $17.8304 for every $1,000 of taxable value — on non-homestead properties, including businesses, commercial sites, and second homes. Primary residences and other property exempted by law would not be affected.

The four-year proposal, spanning 2028 through 2031, replaces an existing millage set to expire with the 2027 tax levy. School officials estimate the renewal would generate approximately $2,880,000 in operating revenue during its first year in 2028, providing crucial funding for day-to-day district operations.

Township of Goodland Lapeer County Millage for Ordinance Enforcement

Goodland Township voters in Lapeer County are considering a new ballot proposal to fund local ordinance enforcement.

If approved, the measure would establish a new additional millage of up to 0.5 mill — or 50 cents for every $1,000 of taxable property value — for a five-year period spanning 2026 through 2030.

Township officials estimate the tax would generate approximately $48,620 in revenue during its first year of collection to support ordinance enforcement operations throughout the community.

Additional proposals

Ballot proposals are also being considered in the City of Yale, Yale Public Schools, the Village of Capac, the Village of Emmett and the Almont and Imlay City school districts in Lapeer County.

Village of Capac Proposition for Renewal of Roads and Streets Millage

In the Village of Capac, voters will decide on the renewal of the Roads and Streets Millage, a measure aimed at maintaining local transportation infrastructure.

If approved, the proposal will maintain a tax rate of 2 mills — or $2 per $1,000 of state taxable valuation — for a four-year period spanning 2026 through 2030. The funds raised through the millage are designated exclusively for improving, constructing, and repairing roads, highways, streets, and bridges under the village’s jurisdiction.

Because the measure is a renewal of an existing millage set to expire after the 2026 levy, it represents a continuation of current funding levels rather than a new tax increase. Based on current state taxable property values, the levy is projected to generate approximately $95,293 in revenue during its first year.

Emmett Township Millage Renewal Operating Millage Proposal

Emmett Township voters will consider an operating millage renewal proposal designed to restore funding lost under state tax limitations.

The proposal asks taxpayers to restore the township’s voted allocated millage of 1 mill ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value), which has been reduced by mandatory Headlee Amendment rollbacks to 0.6911 mills. By approving an increase of 0.3089 mills, voters would allow the township to return to its original 1-mill rate.

If passed, the restored rate would remain in effect for 20 years, spanning from 2026 through 2046. The additional revenue will support general township operating purposes authorized by law, generating an estimated $108,907.61 in its first year.

City of Yale Proposal for Millage Increase for Fire Department Equipment/Operations

Voters in the City of Yale are being asked to consider a fire department equipment and operations millage renewal to ensure ongoing funding for local emergency services.

If approved, the proposal would maintain the current tax limitation of 2 mills ($2 per $1,000 of state taxable value) for five years, running from 2028 through 2032. The levy supports fire protection, rescue operations, emergency response, medical first response, and related equipment and administrative expenses.

The millage represents a renewal of the existing tax rate, which is set to expire with the 2027 levy. City officials estimate the tax will generate approximately $96,599 during its first calendar year. Revenue collected by Yale may be disbursed to Brockway Township under an interlocal agreement for shared fire protection and emergency services.

Yale Public Schools Bond Proposal

Voters in the Yale Public Schools district across St. Clair and Sanilac counties will decide on a $20 million bond proposal aimed at facility and site improvements throughout the district.

If approved, the district will issue general obligation unlimited tax bonds to fund remodeling, furnishing and equipping school buildings, as well as upgrading district playgrounds, driveways, parking areas and surrounding grounds. Under state law, bond proceeds cannot be used for routine repair or maintenance costs, salaries or other operating expenses, and all expenditures must undergo an audit.

Financially, the estimated levy for the proposed bonds in 2027 would be 1.4 mills, or $1.40 for every $1,000 of taxable property valuation. The maximum term for the bonds is 14 years, with an estimated simple average annual levy of 2.48 mills ($2.48 per $1,000 of taxable valuation) required to retire the debt. The school district does not anticipate borrowing from the state to pay debt service on the issue.

Yale Public Schools currently has $11.9 million in qualified bonds outstanding and zero outstanding qualified loans.

The general election is Nov. 3. Results will be available after polling locations close and must be canvassed and certified before final official results are released.