May 6 Non-Homestead Millage Renewal Proposal
Frequently Asked Questions
What is it?
This is a renewal of 18 mills on non-principal residence and other non-exempt property, and effectively 6 mills on commercial personal property. This proposal represents an annual renewal of millage, which does not affect the taxes on a homeowner's principal residence. Passage of this non-principal residence renewal means a continuation of over $20 million in revenue needed to maintain GHAPS programs and services at current levels.
What Would the Millage Renewal Cost a Principal Residence Homeowner?
Nothing! A homeowner's principal residence is exempt from the 18 mill non-homestead millage renewal. There is NO IMPACT on homeowners' primary residences.
Would This Increase Taxes on Non-Homestead Properties?
This is a renewal, so businesses would pay the same millage rate that was paid in 2024.
What Does Non-Homestead Mean?
Non-homestead properties include industrial, commercial, and some agricultural properties, as well as "second homes" such as rental properties and vacation homes. They do not include a homeowner's primary residence.
What is the Money Used For?
This 18 mill non-homestead levy generates over $20 million in revenue for GHAPS. This represents approximately 20% of our total operating budget, which is used to cover day-to-day district expenses such as staff salaries and benefits, building supplies, student support services, programming, and other operational costs.
This millage is critical for our district budget, not only this year but every year. Without the passage of this millage renewal, it would be difficult to maintain programming at current levels.
Voters have annually renewed this millage at its current level for more than 20 years. This is a renewal of the non-homestead millage at the same rate levied in 2024, and does not affect homestead properties, which are legally exempt. This millage renewal only applies to non-principal resident properties.
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Voting Information
Ottawa County Voting Information
Ballot Language
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 revenue per pupil foundation allowance.
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, Michigan, be increased by 18 mills ($18.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for the year 2025, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2025 is approximately $20,870,000 (this is a renewal of millage that expired with the 2024 tax levy)?