GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Many West Michigan voters will be asked to decide on ballot proposals when they go to the polls on Tuesday.
There are a total of 52 races across West Michigan on Election Day, many of which are requests to renew existing millages. Other ballot questions are new proposals.
You can find your polling place and view a sample ballot by visiting the Michigan Secretary of State’s Voter Information Center website.
What you need to know about what’s on the ballot near you:
KALAMAZOO COUNTY CONSOLIDATED DISPATCH
Kalamazoo County is asking citizens to approve an increase to the phone surcharge to pay to consolidate the 911 dispatch centers for several emergency response agencies.
COUNTY-WIDE SCHOOL MILLAGES
Kent Intermediate School District Regional Enhancement Millage: A property tax increase of .9 mills would to send more money to all 20 school districts in Kent County for the next 10 years.
Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency Regional Enhancement Millage: Voters are being asked to continue a 1.5 mills tax for three years. Approval would renew a millage that was first passed in 2005, so the current millage rate would remain the same. If the millage is passed, each school district in Kalamazoo County would get about $339 per student in funding on top of what districts gets from the state.
DISTRICT BONDS AND MILLAGES
Voters will decide whether to approve a $29.5 million bond for Allendale Public Schools that would fund the construction of a new Early Childhood Center, security and technology enhancements at the high school, new buses, and improved student drop-off areas.
Byron Center Public Schools is asking citizens to continue the current bond for 14 more years, raising an estimated $68.24 million. The district has seen enrollment grow and is projecting that to continue.