Operating Millage Replacement Proposal
Ferndale Public Schools · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
This proposal, if approved by the electors, would, replace, restore and extend the authority of the School District to levy the statutory limit of 18 mills on all property, except principal residences and other property exempted by law, which currently expires with the School District’s 2035 tax levy and allow the School District to continue to levy the statutory limit of 18 mills in the event of future Headlee rollbacks required by the Michigan Constitution of up to 2 mills. The authorization will allow the School District to continue to receive revenues at the full per pupil foundation allowance permitted by the State. Shall the limitation on the total amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residences and other property exempted by law, situated within the Ferndale Public Schools, County of Oakland, State of Michigan, be increased, in the amount of 20 mills with 18 mills being the maximum allowable levy ($18.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation), for a period of twenty (20) years, 2027 to 2046, inclusive, with 16.3262 mills of the above 20 mills being a replacement of authorized millage which will otherwise expire with the 2035 tax levy and 1.6738 mills being a restoration of previously authorized millage lost as a result of the rollbacks required by the Michigan Constitution? This operating millage if approved and levied, would provide estimated revenues to the School District of $6,742,038 during the 2027 calendar year, to be used for general operating purposes.
In plain language
A VoterDecoder summary of the official measure text.
Ferndale Public Schools voters in Oakland County are asked to replace, restore and extend the district's operating levy authority. The tax limit would increase by 20 mills, with 18 mills as the maximum allowable levy, for 20 years, 2027 through 2046 inclusive. Of this, 16.3262 mills replaces millage expiring with the 2035 tax levy and 1.6738 mills restores millage lost to rollbacks. It also lets the district keep levying 18 mills if future Headlee rollbacks of up to 2 mills occur. Estimated 2027 revenue is $6,742,038 for general operating purposes. A YES vote approves the whole proposal; a NO vote rejects all of it.
Official ballot arguments
No official arguments were filed for or against this measure.
What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
Statements by campaigns, officials and news coverage, quoted with attribution and linked to the original. VoterDecoder did not write them and does not endorse either side.
Supporters say
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.