Non-Homestead Replacement Millage

Q. What does non-homestead mean to me?
A. Non-homestead refers to commercial property, industrial property, rental property, certain non-primary residential homes, and some vacant land.

Q. What is the purpose of the School District of the City of River Rouge's election on Tuesday, February 28, 2012?
A. Voters will have the opportunity to decide and cast their vote on a Non-Homestead Replacement Millage proposal for the District.

Q. Why is this Non-Homestead Replacement Millage proposal being brought before the District voters?
A. The entire operations millage expires with the July 2012 levy which means that the voters will have to authorize a Non-Homestead Replacement Millage to fund the operating budget of the District beyond the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The Non-Homestead Replacement Millage will ensure the continuation of the School District of the City of River Rouge's educational program. The Non-Homestead Replacement Millage is needed to maintain current revenues. The Board of Education decided on December 14, 2011 to put this ballot proposal on the Tuesday, February 28, 2012 election.

Q. Where do I vote?
A.

1. Go to the Michigan Secretary of State Website
2. Click on: Elections in Michigan (on the left side)
3. Click on: Information for Voters (on the left side)
4. Click on: Where Do I Vote? (on the left side)
5. Click on: Secretary of State Information Center

Enter your name or address to find your precinct's location.

Q. Who is eligible to vote for the election on Tuesday, February 28, 2012?
A. Registered voters living in the School District of the City of River Rouge's boundaries are eligible to vote. The last day to register to vote is Monday, January 23, 2012. You can register to vote at any Secretary of State Office and at the City Clerk's Office.

Q. Will this increase my primary resident tax rate?
A. No, this Non-Homestead Replacement Millage will not increase your primary resident tax rate. In fact, your primary residence tax rate will decrease as a result of the district choosing not to levy the traditional "hold harmless" supplemental allowable by the State of Michigan millage.

Q. Is this District Non-Homestead Replacement Millage different from the 2002 operating millage renewal?
A. Yes. The 2002 operating millage renewal was on all properties. The Non-Homestead Replacement Millage is only requesting to levy 18 mills for non-homestead property only.

Q. Why is the Non-Homestead Replacement Millage only for ten years?
A. In the past, the Finance Strategies Committee recommended ten years as an appropriate term for the Non-Homestead Replacement Millage citing the fact that it is difficult to anticipate future financial needs or changes in school funding beyond ten years.

Q. If the Non-Homestead Replacement Millage is approved by voters, how much funding would the District receive in 2013?
A. An estimated $3.0 Million annually to replace $3.6 Million in funding that will be lost due to the current millage expiring December 31, 2012.

Q. If I need more information about the School District of the City of River Rouge's election on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, where can I go?
A. If you would like more information about the School District of the City of River Rouge's ballot proposal please call the Superintendent's Office at 313-297-9600, extension 1623 and keep visiting the website.

Q. Ho is the District being resourceful and financially prudent?
A. During the past three years, the District established a number of important cost-containment measures, including "belt-tightening" during the budget development process. Since 2008, the District has lost the following sources of State revenue:

• 20J Funding ($279 per pupil);
• Per pupil proration ($470 per pupil);
• Failure of November 2011 Non-Homestead Renewal Millage ($143 per pupil).

For the 2011-2012 school year the District has experienced a per pupil reduction equal to $892 per student.

The administration has reduced the budget by approximately $2.5 million annually, by reducing administrative costs through the elimination of central administrative positions, privatized services, reduced compensation and benefits, and has explored other bold cost-saving measures to operate more efficiently.

Q. How do I go about getting an absentee ballot?
A. Absentee ballots will be available at the City Clerk's Office no later than January 14, 2012. The City Clerk's Office can be reached by telephone at 313-842-5604.

Q. What are the details of the Non-Homestead Replacement Millage proposal for the School DIstrict of the City of River Rouge?
A. Voters will have the opportunity to authorize 18 mills on non-homestead property for general operating purposes for the next 10 years.

Q. What will the wording on the ballot be?
A. This proposal will allow the school district to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal resident and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and replaces the millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy.

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, I the School District of the City of River Rouge, Wayne County, Michigan, be increased by 18 mills ($18.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2013 to 2022, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied is approximately $3,000,000 (this millage replaces millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy)?

Vote: February 28, 2012
District Non-Homestead Replacement Millage Election
Polls open 7 A.M. - 8 P.M.