NewsPolitics

Actions

What's on the ballot: March 10, 2020

Posted at 12:00 PM, Mar 09, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-09 12:01:33-04

On Tuesday, voters across Michigan will decide on more than which Democratic candidate will run against President Donald Trump in November.

Voters will also have to make decisions on millages, bonds and ordinances.

Here’s what each county will have on the ballot (in alphabetical order):

ALLEGAN COUNTY

Allegan proposal to sell land to diocese: The city is asking to sell .3 acres of land in the western portion of Oakwood Cemetery to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo.

Allegan proposal to sell land for hotel: Allegan is asking to sell .33 acres of Mahan Park for a hotel development. Part of the transaction would include .38 acres of new land to be added to the park.

Dorr Library millage proposal: Dorr Township is asking to renew a millage that provides a majority of the library’s funding. A renewal proposal was rejected by a margin of 100 votes last August. Supporters of the millage say the library could close if it doesn’t receive the taxpayer funds.

Glenn Public Schools bond proposal: The school is asking for $420,000 to make security improvements, refurnish and equip a school building, and developing a site.

Monterey Township road millage proposal: If approved, the township will work on road improvements using funds from a four-year millage. It would raise an estimated $429,622 in the first year of the millage.

Saugatuck Public Schools bond proposal: The district is asking for a $35,640,000 bond to buy furniture and equipment for buildings, technology for education, school buses and the development of playgrounds.

Van Buren Intermediate School District special education proposal: If approved, the existing millage would be increased by .9 mill for five years to fund services for the education of students with a disability. The owner of a property worth $100,000 would pay $421.17 a year, an increase of $89.40.

BERRIEN COUNTY

Chikaming Township public safety proposal: The township is seeking a four-year renewal and .5 mill increase to an existing millage that funds public safety services.

Eau Claire Public School millage renewal: The district is asking to renew an existing millage funding the schools for six years.

New Buffalo Area Schools millage renewal: If passed, a millage funding the district’s operations costs will be renewed through 2025.

St. Joseph Township public safety millage: If approved, the money would support the St. Joseph Township police and fire departments, and ambulance services. Taxes would be set at $6 per $1,000 in property value for five years.

Van Buren Intermediate School District special education proposal: If approved, the existing millage would be increased by .9 mill for five years to fund services for the education of students with a disability. The owner of a property worth $100,000 would pay $421.17 a year, an increase of $89.40.

BRANCH COUNTY

Glen Oaks Community College campus improvements: The school is seeking a millage increase of .5 mills for improvements in safety, energy efficiency, technological infrastructure and other improvements for the St. Joseph County campus.

Litchfield schools sinking fund proposal: If passed, a four-year millage would create a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings, security improvements, technology purchases and real estate of school buildings.

Hillsdale County career and technical education proposal: A proposed millage would support the expansion of a career and technological education program.

CALHOUN COUNTY

Battle Creek proposal on charter language: A proposal asking to stop using terms like “he,” “him” and “his” in the city charter when referring to city officers, officials and employees. If passed, the charter would be written in ungendered terms.

Battle Creek proposal on electing a mayor: The proposal would allow voters to elect a mayor themselves, rather than the current system where one is appointed by city commissioners.

Hillsdale County career and technical education proposal: A proposed millage would support the expansion of a career and technological education program.

INGHAM COUNTY

Potter Park Zoo and Potter Park operational millage: If approved, a small millage increase would help fund operations, maintenance and improvements at the park and zoo.

Ingham County parks and trails renewal: A six-year renewal of an existing millage that creates a countywide system of recreational trails and adjacent parks.

Health services millage: It would increase funding for health care and mental health care for low-income residents who are not eligible for Medicaid and are without insurance.

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union office building: The City of East Lansing is asking voters to approve the sale of a property worth $810,000 to the credit union to construct a five- to eight-story building.

Williamstown road improvements bond: The Township of Williamstown is asking voters to approve a $7.5 million bond to pay for road projects.

Ingham Intermediate School District Special Education millage: The district is asking to increase the tax funds available for students who need special education.

IONIA COUNTY

Portland Public Schools millage renewal: If passed, an existing millage that provides funds for the district’s operation would be renewed for another four years.

KALAMAZOO COUNTY

Transportation authority millage: The Central Transportation Authority is asking for a tax of .9 mills for five years to fund public transportation services within the county. It would cost $.90 per $1,000 in taxable value.

Schoolcraft Township incorporation: Schoolcraft Township is asking voters to give it charter status, which will have the township act as a “municipal corporation,” and give community leaders more control over developments within the township.

Schoolcraft schools bond proposal: The district is asking to borrow $39,9 million to build a new elementary school, convert the high school to handle students grades 7-12, installing education technology in buildings, build a new athletic and maintenance building, and work on playgrounds, fields and facilities.

Van Buren Intermediate School District special education proposal: If approved, the existing millage would be increased by .9 mill for five years to fund services for the education of students with a disability. The owner of a property worth $100,000 would pay $421.17 a year, an increase of $89.40.

Glen Oaks Community College campus improvements: The school is seeking a millage increase of .5 mills for improvements in safety, energy efficiency, technological infrastructure and other improvements for the St. Joseph County campus.

KENT COUNTY

Grattan Township road millage proposal: The township is asking voters to approve a tax of 1 mil for four years to repair, maintain and improve gravel roads.

Sparta Township fire equipment renewal: If approved, an existing millage that funds fire equipment to Sparta Township and Sparta fire departments.

Sparta Township fire station and vehicle millage: An existing millage would be extended through 2025 to fund renovations to the Sparta Fire Station and to purchase department vehicles.

Wyoming Public Schools millage: The district is seeking an increase of 1.4492 mills to its operating millage through 2026. Taxes go towards the district’s operating budget.

MASON COUNTY

Free Soil Township millage: The township is asking voters to approve a tax increase of .5 mills for the next five years to fund the operation and maintenance of the Free Soil Community Center.

MECOSTA COUNTY

Big Rapids recreational marijuana ordinance: The city is asking residents to decide if recreational marijuana facilities will be allowed within Big Rapids.

Chippewa Township marijuana ordinance: Residents will decide if the city will pass an ordinance banning recreational marijuana businesses in the township.

Chippewa Hills School District sinking fund: Chippewa schools are asking voters to approve a tax of 1.5 mills over 10 years to create a sinking fund to be used on construction or repairing school buildings, security improvements, technology and real estate to build school buildings.

MONTCALM COUNTY

Montcalm County library millage: The county is asking voters to approve a tax of .9 mills to distribute between Carson City, Flat River, Home Township, Reynolds Township, Richland Township, Tamarack and White Pine public libraries.

Montcalm County law enforcement millage: If approved a tax of 1 mill would be approved for a five-year period to fund law enforcement efforts in the county.

Sidney Township marijuana businesses: Township residents will decide if a set number of licensed marijuana growing facilities will be allowed there.

MUSKEGON COUNTY

Holton Township marijuana ordinance: The township is asking voters to decide if it will adopt an ordinance banning recreational marijuana facilities.

Oakridge Public Schools millage renewal: If passed, an existing operating millage through 2025. Taxes wouldn’t go up if approved.

White Lake Fire Authority millage: The White Lake Fire Authority is seeking a $1.65 million millage to fund improvements and upgrades to the fire facilities and equipment.

OCEANA COUNTY

City of Hart street repair millage: The city is asking residents to renew a millage funding road repairs through 2024.

Weare Township fire millage: If approved, a millage funding for the operation of the fire department would be extended through 2029.

OTTAWA COUNTY

Park Township Airport millage: Township voters are asked to approve an increase of .185 mills to provide money for the operation and maintenance of the airport.

Robinson Township road millage renewal: If approved, an existing millage used for repairs, maintenance and construction of roads, bridges and drainage would be renewed through 2027.

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY

Glen Oaks Community College campus improvements: The school is seeking a millage increase of .5 mills for improvements in safety, energy efficiency, technological infrastructure and other improvements for the St. Joseph County campus.

VAN BUREN COUNTY

Van Buren County road millage renewal: The county is seeking to renew an existing millage used to fund road maintenance and construction through 2023.

Public transit millage renewal: Voters are asked whether the county will continue a tax of .2471 mills to fund public transportation services for four years.

Veteran services millage: If approved, the millage would provide funds for services dedicated to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Antwerp Township road millage: The township is asking for residents to approve a tax of 1 mil to use on road improvements and possible widening of state highways.

Van Buren Intermediate School District special education proposal: If approved, the existing millage would be increased by .9 mill for five years to fund services for the education of students with a disability. The owner of a property worth $100,000 would pay $421.17 a year, an increase of $89.40.