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6 days ago
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Election preview: What's on the Aug. 5 ballot in Chippewa County?
Voters across Chippewa County will be heading to their local polling places on Tuesday, Aug. 5 to make their voices heard about school funding, road improvements, parks and recreation needs and more. Here's what on the ballot: More: What voters need to know about Sault Area Schools' bond proposal in the August election Sault Area Schools Bond Proposal Voters in the Sault Area Schools district will consider a bond proposal for a millage of 1.65 mills to help refurbish the newly consolidated school buildings. The proposal would not increase taxes for county residents and will allow the district to borrow up to $20,540,000. The district is planning on moving playground equipment, renovating an unusable pool at the high school into an indoor gym, updating locker rooms and bathrooms, and more. The ballot language reads: 'Shall Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools, Chippewa County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed $20,540,000 and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor for the purpose of: remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping existing school facilities; acquiring, installing, equipping and re-equipping existing school facilities for instructional technology; and preparing, developing, equipping and improving playgrounds and sites? The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2026 is 1.65 mills, for a 0 mills net increase over the prior year's levy. The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is 30 years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 1.32 mills.' Bruce Township Road Improvement Millage Renewal Bruce Township is asking voters to renew a millage of 2.5 mills, which was previously approved in 2021. It would go towards maintaining and fixing roads in the township for four years, beginning in 2026. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the expired previously voted increase in the 15 mill limitation imposed under Article IX Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Bruce Township, Chippewa County, Michigan of 2.5 mills be renewed to the original voted 2.5 mills, and be levied for four years, beginning 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for road paving, maintenance and improvements within the township, and shall the township levy such millage for said purpose? The estimate of revenue the township will collect if this millage is approved and levied in 2026 is $258,500." Dafter Township Road Millage Proposal Dafter Township is requesting a new millage of 0.5 mills for six years, beginning in December 2025. This millage would exclusively fund road construction, repairs, paving and other road-related infrastructure projects. The millage is expected to raise around $26,283 each year. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the Township of Dafter, County of Chippewa, Michigan, impose a tax limitation increase of 0.5 mills (or $0.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) on all taxable property within the township for a period of six years, 2026 through 2031, inclusive, commencing Dec. 1, 2025 for the purpose of road repairs, maintenance, paving, repaving, construction, reconstruction, bridge repairs and related infrastructure within the township? If approved, this millage would raise an estimated $26,283 annually for six years.' Kinross Township Parks and Recreation Millage Kinross Township voters will decide whether to approve a proposed millage of 2 mills for Parks and Recreation needs. The millage funding would go towards the Kinross Recreation Center, Duke Lake and the community park in Kinross Township. The millage would be levied this year and last for a total of four years. It is expected to raise $131,373 in the first year. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the soon to expire, previously voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on all taxable real and tangible personal property in Kinross Charter Township, Chippewa County Michigan be re-instated in an amount not to exceed 2.0 mills ($2 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of four years, being 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 inclusive, for the purpose of operating, maintaining, equipping and making capital expenditures for the Kinross Recreation Center, Duke Lake and the Community Park within Kinross Charter Township, this being a reinstatement of 2.0 mills which expired with the 2024 levy, and shall the township levy such millage for said purpose, raising an estimated $131,373.33 in the first year.' Raber Township Medical Services Millage Request Raber Township is requesting a millage that will help fund the newly formed Northern Emergency Medical Services for the next three years. The proposal would levy a maximum of 3 mills to raise an estimated $110,000 in the first year. The new service would cover Whitefish, Hulbert, Chippewa, Kinross, Bruce, Pickford, Marquette, Raber and DeTour townships. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on all taxable real and tangible personal property in Raber Township, Chippewa County, Michigan be increased up to the amount not to exceed 3 mills ($3 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of three years being 2025, 2026 and 2027 inclusive for the purpose of operating, equipping, purchasing and making capital expenditures for the newly formed Northern Emergency Medical Services, and shall the township levy such millage for said purpose, thereby raising up to an estimated $110,000 in the first year?' Raber Township Fire Protection Millage Renewal Raber Township is also looking for a renewal on its existing fire protection millage. The millage was previously approved at .6955 mills and expired in 2024. The proposed millage would raise an estimated $23,000 in the first year and would last five years, beginning in 2025. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the previous voted increase in the 15 mill limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Raber Township, Chippewa County, Michigan of 3/4 mill ($0.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) which has been reduced to .6955 mill by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at .6955 mill ($0.6955 per $1,000 of taxable value) for five years, being 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for fire protection purposes (this being a renewal of the fire protection operating millage which expired with the 2024 levy) within the township and shall the township levy such renewal in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $23,000?' Sugar Island Ambulance Department Operations The first item Sugar Island Township voters will be asked to decide in the Aug. 5 election is a renewal of the ambulance operations millage. The previous millage was for 3 mills and was approved in 2023, lasting for two years. The new proposal is asking for 2.9811 mills to be levied for three years, starting in 2025. This would raise an estimated $160,979 in the first year and would fund ambulance services on the island. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the previous voted increase in the 15 mill limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution for general ad valorem taxes within Sugar Island Township, Chippewa County, Michigan of 3 mills ($3 per $1,000 of taxable value) which was reduced to 2.9811 mills by required millage rollbacks, be renewed at 2.9811 ($2.9811 per $1,000 of taxable value) for three years, being 2025, 2026 and 2027, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds to continue ambulance department operations within the township and shall the township levy such continuation in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $160,979.40.' Sugar Island Fire Department Operations The Sugar Island Fire Department is asking for a renewal of its previous millage, which was approved by voters in 2023. The proposal would levy 1.4230 mills on the township for three years to fund fire department services. The proposal would raise an estimated $76,842 over the first year. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the previous voted increase in the 15 mill limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution for general ad valorem taxes within Sugar Island Township, Chippewa County, Michigan of 1.5 mills ($1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) which was reduced to 1.4230 mills by required millage rollbacks, be renewed at 1.4230 ($1.4230 per $1,000 of taxable value) for three years, being 2025, 2026 and 2027, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds to continue fire department operations within the township and shall the township levy such continuation in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $76,842.' Sugar Island Solid Waste Services The final item on the ballot for Sugar Island residents is a renewal in the solid waste services millage. The previous proposal levied 1.65 mills on the township for four years, starting in 2021. The new proposal would levy 1.6235 mills on the township for three years, beginning in 2025. This would raise an estimated $87,669 for the first year. The ballot language reads: 'Shall the previous voted increase in the 15 mill limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution for general ad valorem taxes within Sugar Island Township, Chippewa County, Michigan of 1.650 mills ($1.650 per $1,000 of taxable value) which was reduced to 1.6235 mills by required millage rollbacks, be renewed at 1.6235 ($1.6235 per $1,000 of taxable value) for three years, being 2025, 2026 and 2027, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds to continue solid waste services within the township and shall the township levy such renewal in millage for said purpose, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $87,669.' — Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@ This article originally appeared on The Sault News: What's on the ballot in Chippewa County for the Aug. 5, 2025 election? 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6 days ago
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Voters approve Sault Area Schools bond proposal
SAULT STE. MARIE — According to unofficial results, voters have approved a bond proposal for Sault Area Schools, allowing for renovations at the newly consolidated school buildings. In the Tuesday, Aug. 5 election, voters in the school district approved the proposal with 1,892 yes votes to 1,523 no votes. "We are deeply grateful to the voters for standing behind the students and staff of Sault Ste. Marie," said Sault Superintendent Amy Kronemeyer. "It really reflects the power of the community and what we represent when we invest in our children's future. It will impact students for decades." Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our content More: What voters need to know about Sault Area Schools' bond proposal in the August election Sault Area Schools had proposed a millage that would not increase taxes but would allow them to raise an estimated $20,540,000. The district will levy a millage of 1.65 mills for the next 30 years, with the funds to be used for remodeling and refurnishing to make the newly consolidated schools a better fit for the students' needs. As part of the consolidation, elementary students will move to the former middle school and middle school students will move to the high school, which will house both high school and middle school classes. "We are absolutely excited to begin the new school year, the energy among the staff is unprecedented," said Kronemeyer. "They are working hard to get their rooms ready, all of their belongings have been moved to the new school buildings. We are really grateful for the opportunity to serve the students of Sault Ste. Marie. It's what we do, what we love and I have the most committed and dedicated staff that serves our students." More: Sault Area Schools to move forward with building consolidations Planned projects include turning the unusable pool at the high school into a full-size indoor gym, updating the locker rooms and bathrooms, and adding new technologies for both educational and security purposes. The district is also planning on renovating the library, multipurpose room and elementary playground area to fit the needs of the student population. Currently, there is no viable playground site at the new elementary school. The school board is bringing the coalition back together to work alongside architects and engineers to plan the renovations. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026, and most of the improvements will be ready for the 2026-27 school year. "It's a long process but one that we will transparently publicize on our website so people can follow along," said Kronemeyer. — Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@ This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Voters approve Sault Area Schools bond proposal in Aug. 5, 2025 election Solve the daily Crossword
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7 days ago
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Fort Worth city council members make push for affordable housing
Fort Worth City Council members urged city staff during a work session Tuesday to add a proposition for affordable housing in its next bond proposal. Christianne Simmons, who is in charge of the bond program budget, briefed council members on updates to the bond program, and District 9 council member Elizabeth Beck requested that affordable housing be added to the proposal. City council members are reviewing bond proposals to place on the 2026 ballot. Fort Worth is one of the nation's only major cities that doesn't include affordable housing in their bond program, Beck told the Star-Telegram. Residents earning the city's median income of $64,576 in 2021 could not afford to buy a median-priced home in Fort Worth, according to a 2023 report on the city's housing crisis. Major cities across Texas, like Austin, Dallas and San Antonio already have affordable housing bonds. If the bond aligns with affordable housing bonds in other cities, it would: Provide funding for homeowners to fix their home. Create, maintain and renovate rental homes. Provide funding for permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. Buying land for home production. Fund the production of affordable houses. In 2024, the Neighborhood Services Department of Fort Worth requested $100 million to support strategies to fight the housing crisis for the 2026 bond program. Its request included support for people experiencing homelessness, acquiring land for developments, subsidized apartments and down payment assistance. In 2024, council members supported the idea, and many agreed with Beck on the proposition during the work session on Tuesday. District 8 council member Chris Nettles requested data from the number of times the public has inquired about housing support. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker echoed the council members' concerns. 'The whole entire city of Fort Worth is grappling with this issue.' The affordable housing bond would be a separate proposition, Simmons said. Council members discussed where to pull the funds from, and Beck recommended taking $1 million from each of the other five propositions. Nettles requested that the affordable housing bond be articulated clearly to the public as a separate proposition. The Tarrant Appraisal District's estimates also came in higher than anticipated, increasing the bond budget by $40 million, to $840M, Simmons told the council. Simmons recommended that the $40 million be allocated to the streets and mobility proposition, with $20 million to bridges and $20 million to neighborhood streets. Overview of the bond program Of the $2.42 billion requested from city departments, FWLab, a department of the city whose Budget Division is responsible for the bond programs, proposed $840 million in funding, according to Tuesday's proposal presentation. Most notably, the bond program includes funding for the renovation of three public libraries, the creation of a fire station in far southwest Fort Worth and the acquisition of 13 properties, according to the initial program proposal. There are currently five propositions in the program, including: Proposition A: $516.5 million to streets and mobility infrastructure improvements. Proposition B: $185.1 million to parks and open space improvements. Proposition C: $14.6 million to public library improvements. Proposition D: $63.9 million to public safety improvements. Proposition E: $59.9 million to animal care and shelter facility improvements. Proposition A will carry out four major roadways designed with 2022 bond funds and expand Bonds Ranch Road at three locations. This is a $148 million increase in bond funding for streets and mobility compared to the $369.2 million in the 2022 bond. However, impact fees and the state and county are contributing additional funding of nearly $200 million to the major roadway projects. The program allocates $14 million to Proposition C. The bond program proposed $13.7 million for public library improvements to three locations: Southwest Regional Library, which opened in 1987. East Berry Library, which opened in 1967. Diamond Hill Library, which opened in 1989. Proposition D includes $19.4 million for a new fire station in south Fort Worth, and $28.3 million will go to renovating a building into a new 911 call center. City Council plans to build a new animal shelter to replace the Chuck Silcox center, the presentation states. The 2026 bond program is $280 million more than the 2022 bond program. The population of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing in the country, even surpassing 1 million earlier this year. Council members will finalize the project list in the fall, Simmons said. After hearing from the public and conducting community engagement, voters will go to the polls in May 2026 to consider the proposals. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
05-08-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Vibrant Denver proposal moves forward, voters will decide in November
On Nov. 4, voters in Denver will decide on a $950 million bond proposal to revamp portions of the city. The Denver City Council unanimously approved the proposal that allocates that money to 60 projects throughout the city. The proposal has $70 million allocated for one of those projects, Park Hill Park. It's a vacant lot of grass in northeast Denver that's left Park Hill homeowners like Harrison Hood budding with anticipation for years. "It's kind of just been sitting there, unused, a little overgrown," said Hood. "I think there's a lot of mindset about this land not being utilized, and there are not many open green spaces in the city left to use, so I think people are ready to add this to the list of parks." Now, voters will be tasked to decide this November if the rebuild of the former Park Hill Golf Course and countless other projects will be funded through the bond package. "We have been hearing from the community about safe crossings, about recreation," said District 4 Council member Diana Romero Campbell. On Monday, the Denver City Council voted unanimously to put the bond package on the November ballot for a vote, despite some criticism that the bond does not include certain projects their constituents would have liked to see move forward. "This is not a perfect bond, but it is what we have with $950 million," said Denver City Council President Amanda P. Sandoval. The Vibrant Denver package would set aside $70 million towards the buildout of Park Hill. Other notable projects include more than $39 million towards backstage expansion and accessibility improvements at Red Rocks, $75 million would go towards a first responder and public safety training center, and $32 million in affordable housing development. The list, however, extends to millions in mobility improvements across the city, parks and recreation and cultural centers. "I'm against every penny of it, because government debt makes no sense at face value," said Jason Bailey. Bailey, who started Citizens for No New Debt, hopes his position against the bond package is something other voters will agree with. He argues that increasing the city's debt with this bond will cost more to recover over time. "The solution is sales tax and property tax, that's the only way anything gets paid for," said Bailey. "If we look at the amount of money we've given to the banks for debt service to the city of Denver over the past five years, it's billions of dollars." For residents who've been waiting for places like Park Hill to transform, however, it's a price they say is worth putting forth for the city's future development. "We're excited to get some use out of [the park]," said Hood.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
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Guide: All the ballot proposals planned for August in Ottawa, Allegan
HOLLAND — Zeeland residents will participate in a primary for councilmembers in August, but several other municipalities in the greater Holland area will have ballot proposals to consider. According to information shared on the Ottawa County and Allegan County elections websites, there will be 10 total proposals in the area for residents to peruse, although two are for school districts predominantly in other counties — operating renewals for Ravenna and Delton Kellogg. Of the eight hyper-local proposals, there will be three townships and two school districts with questions on the ballot, primarily in Allegan County. Voters in the HPS district, which spans portions of Ottawa and Allegan, will see a 30-year, $49.225 million bond on the ballot. If approved, the proposal wouldn't change the district's tax rate, as it results in a '0 mill net increase' over 2025, per the ballot language. HPS would use the funds for remodeling, furnishing and equipping school buildings, acquiring instructional technology and equipment, purchasing school buses, 'erecting school support buildings,' and 'erecting, developing and improving athletic fields and facilities, parking areas and sites.' Earlier this year, HPS conducted a survey to gauge support for a potential bond. Projects in the survey included infrastructure like technology, roofing, paving, HVAC and security; significant 'educational enhancements' at the current Jefferson Elementary to prepare for a transition into Holland Language Academy in 2028; and a new football and multi-use outdoor stadium. Fennville voters will see a 25-year, $22.35 million bond on the ballot after the FPS Board of Education approved language during a meeting April 21. If the plan is approved, the district's millage rate would actually drop by 0.5 mills, so residents would pay a lower tax rate. That's possible because previous debts have been paid off and are set to expire from the district's debt millage. By replacing those with a new bond, the district can fund improvements without increasing the tax rate. Projects in the bond include outdoor learning environments, flexible classroom furniture, upgraded fire alarms and communication systems and boilers throughout the district. Fennville Elementary will see a full HVAC replacement, roof replacement and window improvements. At Fennville Middle, the school will receive ADA-compliant restroom renovations, HVAC upgrades and cafeteria improvements. The high school will see a roof replacement, HVAC improvements, ADA-compliant restroom renovations and classroom enhancements. More: Election Guide: All the candidates, proposals on the ballot so far near Holland Laketown voters will see a pair of related proposals in August. One would decrease a previously approved millage by 0.5 mills, while the other will increase a previously approved millage by 0.5 mills. Laketown voters approved a renewal of a 2-mill tax to fund fire department operations, repair, construction, reconstruction and/or blacktopping of roads and non-motorized paths, and repair and maintenance of drains in 2024. The township also has a separate millage of 1 mill for operating funds, equipment, and apparatus acquisition for the Graafschap Fire Department. The first proposal for Laketown would reduce the millage for roads, paths and drains from 2 mills to 1.5 mills, and remove GFD from the millage altogether. The renewed millage would run 2026-28 and generate an estimated $984,700 in 2026. A second request would increase the GFD millage from 1 mill to 1.5 mills and renew the tax from 2025-29. If approved, the proposal would generate an estimated $937,750 in 2026, according to ballot language. If both proposals are approved, 0.5 mills would essentially shift from the roads, paths and drains millage to the GFD millage, and the fire department would no longer be included in the roads, paths and drains millage. In Lee Township, voters will be asked to renew and restore a millage for road construction, upgrades, maintenance and improvements. The previously approved 2-mill authorized tax has been decreased to 1.9103 mills due to rollbacks under the Headlee Amendment, which occur when growth on existing property values exceeds the rate of inflation. The ballot measure in August will seek to restore the millage to the previous 2 mills and renew it for three years, 2025-27. Support Local News: Receive unlimited digital access to your local news coverage Voters in Manlius Township will have a trio of renewals to vote on in August. All three proposals include a restoration of mills lost to Headlee rollbacks and a renewal for four years. The proposed renewals are 2 mills for road improvements, 1.75 mills for fire protection and 1.5 mills for road resurfacing. — Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@ This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Proposals for August include large bonds at HPS, FPS
