Non-Homestead Millage Renewal & Restoration

On November 8, 2022, Election Day, Waterford School District placed a Non-Homestead Millage Renewal and Restoration on the ballot. This millage will guarantee Waterford School District continues to receive funding from the state each year for general operating costs such as textbooks, staff, classroom materials and technology.

Millage Facts

The Waterford School District non-homestead millage is

• an existing levy on businesses and second homes in the district.
• NOT a new tax and has no impact on a homeowner’s property taxes.
• 10% of the operating funds for the district each year.
• required for the district to receive the full foundation allowance established by the state.
• funding to help pay operational costs to educate our students.

Ballot Language

WATERFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT
OPERATING MILLAGE PROPOSAL

This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its full revenue per pupil foundation allowance and restores millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963.

Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Waterford
School District, Oakland County, Michigan, be renewed by 17.6023 mills ($17.6023 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2024 to 2033, inclusive, and also be increased by .5 mill ($0.50 on each $1, 000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2024 to 2033,inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2024 is approximately $13,905,800 (this millage is to renew millage that will expire with the 2023 levy and to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the “Headlee” amendment to the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will be levied only to the extent necessary to restore that reduction)?

Waterford School District Non-Homestead Millage FAQ’s 

What does non-homestead mean?
Non-homestead means businesses and second homes. It does not include a family’s primary residence.

Will my residential school taxes change also?
No. This tax is on non-homestead property and does not apply to your primary place of residence.

Is this a new tax?
No. This millage was approved by the voters twice since 1994. The District was given voter approval to levy 18 mills on non-homestead property most recently in November 2012 for the 2014 tax levy. The current millage expires with the 2023 tax levy.

What happens if the millage doesn’t pass?
The revenue generated from the 18 mills on non-homestead property totals approximately $12 million annually. These funds support the district’s operations such as teacher salaries and student textbooks. The state will not replace the lost funding, which means the Waterford School District would have to reduce or eliminate staff and instructional and support programs for our students to offset the reduction in revenue.

How are Michigan school districts funded?
Districts receive most of their funding on a per-pupil basis. The amount a school district receives on a per-pupil basis is called the Foundation Allowance. The per-pupil Foundation Allowance for Waterford School District is $9,150 for the 2022-2023 school year. The state expects the district to collect the 18 mills and will not make up any of the shortfall if the amount is not received.