Voters living within the LakeVille Community School district will be asked to renew the District’s Non-Homestead Millage on the March 8, 2016, Presidential Primary Election ballot. 
 
Frequently Asked Questions 
 
Will this renewal increase my taxes? 
NO.  The ballot question is a renewal. There is no new or additional tax. 
 
Explain what the Non-Homestead levy is. 
The Non-Homestead levy does not affect homeowners/taxpayers with an address in the LakeVille Community School district as their primary residence. This renewal applies to businesses and second homes only. This levy generates about $1,009,799 annually for the district and is critical to the district’s operating budget. 
 
If I am a homeowner and the Non-Homestead levy does not affect me, why should I vote on it? 
Proposal A changed the way Michigan public schools are financed. Previously, local property taxes provided better than 60% of the revenues needed to fund public schools. The State did not levy property taxes for school purposes. When the Legislature adopted the foundation approach to funding education in December 1993, three important changes came about.  
1.	Property taxes for school purposes were substantially reduced.  
2.	Rather than millage rates being applied uniformly on all property, different rates are now applied to homestead and non-homestead property. Owner-occupied primary residences are classified as “homestead” property and are taxed at six mills. Non-homestead property generally includes industrial, commercial, and second homes, and is taxed at 24 mills (six mills base plus 18 mills, which requires voter approval).  
3.	The State of Michigan assumes school districts levy and collect the full 18 mills, and subtracts this amount from each district’s per pupil allowance if it is not collected. Under Proposal A, the state provides the majority of the funding to public schools by levying a uniform rate of six mills on all property, but to receive full funding, local school districts must levy and collect 18 mills locally on Non-Homestead property in their district. 

How long is the renewal for? 
The renewal is for 10 years. 
 
What should I do if I have any questions? 
There are some resources on our website www.lakevilleschools.org that you can view by clicking on the “March 8, 2016 Ballot Renewal Information” We also love to hear from our stakeholders! Feel free to send your questions or comments to Superintendent Vickie Luoma at vluoma@lakevilleschools.org or contact our office at (810) 591-3980.