On August 6, 2024, the community will be asked to vote on approving the district's Operating Millage. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the 2024 Operating Millage.

• What is requested in the school ballot on August 6, 2024?

  This proposal would restore and maintain the authority of the Grosse Pointe Public School District to levy mills for general school district operating purposes.

• Will this increase the property tax rate on my home?

  No. For GPPSS homeowners, this millage restoration will extend the current authority for homeowners and will not increase tax rates over the current authorization.

• What are the revenues used for?

  The revenues raised by this millage are used for general operating expenses of the school district. These include salaries, classroom materials, transportation, building maintenance, and other services that support the schools daily operations.

• How will this ballot proposal impact GPPS homeowners?

  Under existing law, GPPSS would levy on principal residence property only that portion of the mills (currently 3.7113 mills) necessary to allow the School District to receive the full revenue per pupil foundation allowance permitted by the State.

• How does this millage allow GPPSS to maintain the 18 mills on Non-Homestead property (Commercial, Industrial, and Rental Properties)?

  By restoring the millage, the district can continue to levy the full 18 mills on non-homestead properties, which include commercial, industrial, and rental residential properties. The District must levy 18 mills in order to receive its full per pupil foundation allowance.

• If there is a zero increase, why is a vote necessary?

  A vote is necessary because the original authorization is set to expire with the 2024 tax levy. Restoring the millage allows the district to continue collecting funds at the current rate without interruption. Voting is required by law to reauthorize or extend tax levies.

• What are the details of Operating Millage proposal for the GPPSS for homeowners?

  The proposal includes restoring the millage rate to protect against any reductions caused by the Headlee Amendment rollbacks. For homeowners, the millage rate is capped at up to 7.5337 mills. This rate allows the district to maintain necessary funding levels without imposing any new tax increase on primary residences.

• What is the maximum levy amount in this operating millage for business owners?

  For business owners and other non-homestead property owners, the maximum levy amount is 18.00 mills. This includes commercial, industrial, and rental residential properties. Commercial personal property is exempt from 12 of the 18 mills.

• Who is eligible to vote for the election on Tuesday, August 6, 2024?

  Any registered voter residing within the boundaries of the Grosse Pointe Public School System is eligible to vote in this election.

• When is Election day and where do I vote?

  Election day is Tuesday, August 6th. Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM. You can find your voting location through the Secretary of State website: www.michigan.gov/sos

• Why do I see both 18 mills and 20 mills on the ballot?

  The district is asking to increase the limit on the amount of taxes that can be levied by 20 mills to provide for a 2 mill cushion to protect against Headlee rollbacks. By statute, the district cannot levy more than 18 mills on non-homestead property but must levy 18 mills in order to receive its full per pupil foundation allowance.

• What is the wording on the ballot?

  EXHIBIT A

  GROSSE POINTE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

  COUNTY OF WAYNE STATE OF MICHIGAN

  OPERATING MILLAGE RESTORATION AND EXTENSION

  This proposal would reauthorize the Grosse Pointe Public School System to levy up to the statutory limit of 18.00 mills for general school district operating purposes on taxable property in the School District to the extent that such property is not exempt from such levy, protect the School District against the impact of Headlee rollbacks of up to 2 mills, and restrict the levy on principal residences (owner-occupied homes) to no more than 7.5337 mills. This authorization would allow the School District to continue to levy the statutory limit of 18.00 mills on non-homestead (principally industrial and commercial real property and residential rental property) which expires with the School District’s 2024 tax levy. Under existing law, the School District would levy on principal residence property only that portion of the mills necessary to allow the School District to receive the full revenue per pupil foundation allowance permitted by the State.

  Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed on taxable property in the Grosse Pointe Public School System, County of Wayne, Michigan, be increased by 20 mills ($20.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) to the extent such property is not statutorily exempt, for five (5) years, the years 2025 to 2029, inclusive, to provide funds for operating expenses of the school district? Of the 20 mills, no more than 7.5337 mills ($7.5337 per $1,000 of taxable value) would be levied on principal residences. This millage would raise approximately $22,396,039 in the first year of levy.

  YES ◻

  NO ◻