Sturgis school to place millage back on ballot
STURGIS - Language for a proposed operating non-homestead millage was approved Monday by the Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education.
The district previously asked for the non-homestead millage in February for operational expenses, the proposal was defeated by voters 1,002 to 868.
The district has used the millage, originally approved in 2014 at 18 mills for 20 years and assessed only on second homes and businesses, for operational expenses. The Headlee Amendment rollback has scaled the millage assessment back to the current rate of 17.6862 mills. The current operating millage is in effect through 2034.
During discussion Monday, board member Ben Myers said he struggles with the process in which the language is drafted for the ballot measure, and that he would like to see a little more explanation in the language.
Superintendent Art Ebert said the ballot language is drafted by attorneys, then goes to the county for review and recommendations, and returned to the attorneys for final approval.
The board and district officials said they believed the measure failed because the measure did not reach enough residents. Voter feedback indicated they had not heard about the proposal or did not have enough information to make an informed decision. District officials decided to place the millage proposal on the Aug. 6 ballot.
Board members Kerri Millett and Michelle Baker were absent from Monday's meeting.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis school to place millage back on ballot
