District — Forest Hills voters will be asked on May 6 to renew an 18-mill non-homestead millage levied on properties such as rentals, vacation homes, businesses and commercial property.
The district also is asking to levy an additional 0.5 on non-homestead properties to buffer against the Headlee rollback, said Julie Davis, Forest Hills assistant superintendent for finance and operations. The requests would have no impact on primary residences.
According to the 1978 Headlee Amendment, the growth of taxable values is limited to the lesser of either the inflation rate or 5%. The passage of the additional 0.5 mill would allow the district to go six years before having to seek another renewal, Davis said.
The non-homestead millage makes up part of school district funding. Districts collect the 18 mills, and the amount collected is subtracted from the total amount of what the district would receive from the state for its funding allowance.
The non-homestead represents about $24 million annually for Forest Hills, making up about 18% of the district’s $133 million budget. If the renewal is not approved by voters, the state will not replace the money and Forest Hills will be forced to reduce or cut programs to offset the loss, according to the district’s website.
Davis noted that while the millage request has no impact on primary residences, all registered voters in the Forest Hills district can vote on the issue.
