2026 Non-Homestead Intro Letter
2026 Non-Homestead Renewal FAQ
On Tuesday, November 3rd, voters in the Imlay City school district will be asked to renew the non-homestead operating millage that was originally passed in 1994, and continually renewed in the 32 years since its passage.
Non-Homestead Millage: Know the Facts
Election Day is November 3, 2026
| ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: The millage is a tax levy affecting businesses, certain agricultural properties, rental properties, and commercial properties-NOT on taxpayers' homes. |
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๐๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: A non-homestead millage is NOT applied to family-occupied homes (primary residences). It is applied primarily to business and commercial properties.
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 ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: This is not a new tax! The non-homestead millage was originally passed in 1994, and renewed every time it has appeared on the ballot since. |
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๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: The school district depends on the millage to operate. It generates $2.88 million that is used to operate the district. The non-homestead millage provides nearly 10% of the entire school districtโs budget. |
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| ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: The state allows school districts to levy up to 18 mills through a non-homestead proposal. The Imlay City Schools are asking voters to consider a levy of 17.83 mills on business and commercial properties, some agricultural properties and rental properties. |
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๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: Voters of the Imlay City school district have supported the renewal of the non-homestead millage each time it has been proposed since the original passage in 1994 - a span of 32 years. |
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| ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: If the non-homestead millage does not pass, the district would need to make significant cuts to programs and services to make up for the $2.88 million revenue loss. To do so, the district would look at reducing non-mandatory services and programs first - possibly including programs such as athletics, transportation, and student activities. |
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๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: Public school districts are dependent on non-homestead millage revenue in order to operate. In Imlay Cityโs case, nearly 10% of our operating funds come from the non-homestead millage - a significant portion of the districtโs operating budget. |
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| ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: The vast majority of the districtโs budget is dedicated directly to teaching and learning (roughly 85%), with the remaining 15% dedicated to non-instructional operational costs like facilities maintenance, transportation, non-instructional student programs, and general operating costs. |
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๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: Some voters prefer early voting opportunities in order to avoid long waits, or because they cannot be present at the polls on November 3rd. Any registered voter in Michigan can vote early in person. Early voting begins today and runs through November 1! For more information on early voting methods and locations see this link: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/early-in-person-voting |
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| ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: Any registered voter living within the boundaries of the Imlay City school district is able to cast a vote on the non-homestead proposal affecting the schools. |
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๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: Millages can be confusing, and so can ballot language. To clarify, the non-homestead millage DOES NOT apply to your home (primary residence). |
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| ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐: You can find a more detailed โFrequently Asked Questionsโ document detailing the non-homestead millage here: 2026 Non Homestead Renewal FAQ.pdf |
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