Millage Information

Informational Meeting and Discussion of the Non-Homestead Operating Millage Renewal Wednesday, February 11; 4 pm - 5:30 pm Orchard View High School Community Room

Please use East Entrance (Sheridan Road side)

Non-Homestead Operating Millage:

May 5, 2026

What every taxpayer should know about the operating millage proposal:

All Michigan school districts must levy 17.8114 mills on non-homestead property to receive their full foundation allowance – the major source of funding for Michigan schools.
The 17.8114-mill levy costs the primary residence homeowner zero dollars ($0 per year). Owned primary residences do not pay the 17.8114-mill tax.
If approved, the operating millage proposal would renew and increase the existing levy, which is limited to 18-mills on non-homestead properties, which include businesses, vacation homes, investment and rental properties.
If the operating millage proposal is not approved for 2026, per-pupil revenue for Orchard View Schools would equate to a loss of $3,130,953 in district funding annually.
The district is proposing a renewal of 17.8114 mills for a period of four (4) years.

Questions and Answers

What is a Non-Homestead Operating Millage?

Owned primary residences do not pay the 17.8114 mills tax ($0 per year). All Michigan school districts must levy 18 mills on non-homestead property to receive their full foundation allowance – the major source of funding for Michigan schools. Orchard View is below 18 mills due to the prior Headlee Rollbacks. At this time, Orchard View Schools will be asking the voters to renew the current rate of 17.8114 mills. The operating millage is a levy on non-homestead properties that are not an owned primary residence or qualified agricultural property, such as a business, vacation home, or investment and rental property.

The money the District receives from the millage supports day-to-day operations, including salaries for teachers and staff. This represents approximately 9.5% of the total fiscal year 2026 revenues.

Would tax rates increase for owned primary residences if voters approve the millage?

If you own one home in Orchard View School District that you reside in, you will have zero (0) increase in taxes with this millage if it passes. If the millage does not pass, and you own and reside in a home in Orchard View School District, you will not see a decrease in your taxes. Principal homeowners who reside in the home in Orchard View School district, do not pay this tax.

What is the ballot language for the Non-Homestead Operating Millage Proposal?

ORCHARD VIEW SCHOOLS
OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL
This proposal renews millage and will allow the school district to levy its authorized operating millage rate on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Orchard View Schools, Muskegon County, Michigan, be increased by 17.8114 mills ($17.8114 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation)for a period of 4 years, 2026 to 2029, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $3,130,953

(this is a renewal of millage that expired with the 2025 tax levy)?

What happens if the millage is not approved by the voters?

If the operating millage proposal is not approved for 2026, per-pupil revenue for Orchard View Schools would see a loss in District funding of approximately $3,164,106 in fiscal year 2026-2027

What time are the polls open for voting?

The polls will be open Tuesday, November 4, 2025 from 7:00 am - 8:00 pm.

Where can a resident register to vote?

To learn more about voter registration, such as eligibility requirements, how to register to vote in Michigan, and updating or canceling voter registration, go to:

https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/register-to-vote