Dear Bloomfield Hills Schools Community,
On June 22, 2023, the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education approved the resolution calling for a special school election on November 7, 2023, at which Bloomfield Hills Schools' voters will be asked to renew the current district's sinking fund millage with a three year millage at the same rate levied in 2018, which is 0.6976 mills.
This is a no increase millage. A sinking fund millage levy was originally approved in 2005, and most recently renewed in 2018 in the amount of 0.7165 mills (permanently rolled back to 0.6976 mills), which is set to expire in 2023.
School districts can ask their community to vote on a property tax (Sinking Fund Millage) to raise money annually strictly for the following purposes: construction and repairs to school facilities, school security improvements, technology and other capital items such as school buses.
Please see the Sinking Fund 2023 webpage for more information.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Sinking Fund Millage?
A Sinking Fund Millage is regulated by Michigan law. School districts can ask their community to vote on a property tax (Sinking Fund Millage) to raise money annually strictly for the following purposes: construction and repairs to school facilities, school security improvements, technology and other capital items, or school buses.
Why do school districts request sinking fund millages from their community?
Major construction and repairs to schools and replacing needed technology can take up a significant portion of a school district’s operating budget, limiting what they can spend on educational program costs such as teachers, textbooks and other teaching materials. Many school districts utilize a sinking fund to create a separate revenue source to address these facility and capital needs, but not at the expense of educational programs.
Why is Bloomfield Hills Schools asking for a Sinking Fund millage if they just passed a Bond issue millage to improve school facilities and upgraded technology in 2020?
The 2020 Bond Issue approved by the community focused on renovating and building facilities needed as the district reorganized and “right sized” the school district, including going from three middle schools to two middle schools; offering K-5 elementary school grade configurations and 6-8 middle school grade configurations.
While many improvements were made with the Bond Issue, the Board of Education studied its ongoing facility needs into the future, and the study clearly showed that there is still a need for ongoing repair to our schools. This millage will allow ongoing repairs to the schools while not impacting the district’s educational budget.
Is this a new property tax millage?
No. This millage has been levied in Bloomfield Hills Schools since 2005, when it was first approved by the voters. The millage has been renewed by voters so it could continue to support the schools twice – once in 2014 and again in 2018. So, this is not a new millage, but the renewal of a millage that expires this year.
What is the millage rate for the Sinking Fund?
It was originally approved in 2005 for 1.5 mills. When it was renewed in 2014, the rate was reduced to .74 mills. When it was renewed in 2018, the rate was .71 mills. This request is to renew the millage at .6937 mills.
How long is the millage requested for?
Three years. At that time, the Board of Education will again assess its facility needs before coming back to the voters.
How does the Bloomfield Hills Schools millage rate for sinking fund and bonded debt compare to surrounding school districts?
The district’s millage rate, if the millage is approved by voters, will be approximately 3.5 mills. The county average is over 6 mills. Thus, the district millage is lower than the average county millage.
How much revenue will the proposal generate for the school district to invest in its facilities?
The renewal will continue to generate approximately $3.4 million per year for each of the next three years.
What type of facility projects will the Sinking Fund revenue be used for?
This sinking fund resource will provide important upgrades and renovations to schools based ongoing prioritization of infrastructure needs, such as:
- Security upgrades
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Infrastructure improvements such as door replacement and roof repairs
- Parking lot improvements
- Site improvements such as site erosion repair and improvements to address wetlands
- Emergency repairs such as water main breaks; major HVAC repairs
- Ongoing replacement and upgrades to playgrounds
How has the district used these funds in recent years?
In recent years, Sinking Funds have been used for:
- Roofing repairs
- Site work such as drain grading and parking lot improvements
- Emergency repairs such as boiler replacement and water main breaks
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Safety and Security improvements
- Replacement of some exterior doors
How much will taxpayers have to pay?
Since it is a renewal, taxpayers have been paying this tax since 2005, and would continue to do so for the next 3 years, if the proposal is approved. If the taxable value on your personal property statement is $188,000 (median taxable value for a resident in Bloomfield Township) you would continue to pay $131 for the year.
When and Where do I vote?
Election day is Tuesday, November 7, 2023. The polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm. You can vote absentee or go to the polls. You must be a registered voter who is a resident of Bloomfield Hills Schools to vote in this election.
