Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
Merrill Community Schools · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
This proposal, if approved by the electors, would, renew, 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 2026 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 Merrill Community School District, Counties of Saginaw, Midland and Gratiot, 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 ten (10) years, 2027 to 2036, inclusive, with 19.6240 mills of the above 20 mills being a renewal of authorized millage which will otherwise expire with the 2027 tax levy and 0.3760 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 $779,321 during the 2027 calendar year, to be used for general operating purposes.
In plain language
A VoterDecoder summary of the official measure text.
Merrill Community Schools in Saginaw, Midland, and Gratiot Counties asks voters to renew, restore, and extend its operating millage. The question would raise the tax limit by 20 mills, with 18 mills as the maximum levy, for 10 years, 2027 to 2036, inclusive. It says 19.6240 mills renews millage that would otherwise expire with the 2027 tax levy, and 0.3760 mills restores millage lost to rollbacks. It estimates $779,321 in revenue during 2027 for general operating purposes. A YES vote approves the renewal and restoration together. A NO vote rejects the whole question, so neither part is approved.
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.