Madison Schools seeks voter approval for sinking fund

MADISON HEIGHTS — When voters in the Madison District Public Schools open their ballots for the Nov. 5 election, they will see a proposal for a building and site sinking fund that would raise their taxes by 3 mills for a period of 10 years.

It’s a commitment that school officials say will help repair existing infrastructure, so that additional bonds aren’t needed any time soon.

If approved, the district will levy an additional $3 per $1,000 of taxable valuation on homes in the district from Dec. 1, 2024, through Dec. 1, 2034. The millage would provide estimated revenues of $1,005,508 during the first year. The funds cannot be used for the salaries of teachers, administrators or other district employees.

If residents feel déjà vu hearing about the new proposal, it’s because during the primary election Aug. 6, there was a separate proposal for a millage renewal that voters narrowly approved — 872 “yes,” 613 “no” — that adjusted the millage rate to offset automatic rollbacks caused by the Headlee Amendment.

However, the millage renewal approved in August will have no impact on the tax rate paid by homeowners in the district. That measure only affects non-homestead properties such as businesses. The district can levy the statutory rate of up to 18 mills on all properties except principal residences.

The new proposal, on the other hand, would in fact be a tax on homeowners. Officials say that it’s vital for maintaining the costly renovations and repairs that the district has nearly completed using a previous bond issue, which voters approved in November 2021. That particular bond levied 1.8 mills its first year, and represented a zero mill increase over the prior debt millage.

In the three years since, the district has fully replaced the roof at Madison High School, installed air conditioning throughout the building, replaced its boiler, increased lighting throughout to enhance security, and upgraded the bells, surveillance cameras and public announcement system.

In addition, the district has been replacing roofing at the Madison Early Childhood Center, Madison Elementary School and Wilkinson Middle School, resulting in increased efficiency, comfort and safety for students and staff.

In recent weeks, the district has been working with Plante Moran Realpoint to prepare for the remaining bond-funded projects, which include replacing flooring at Madison High School and larger sections of roofing at Wilkinson Middle School.

After voters approved the bond issue in November 2021, funding was secured in 2022 when the district completed the sale of its school building and site bonds, the net proceeds of which amounted to about $11.31 million. That allowed the project to proceed.

The November 2021 bond was also structured so that taxpayers didn’t see a resulting increase in their school taxes. Even so, like the recent millage renewal in August, public reception was mixed, with nearly 900 votes cast in favor and nearly 600 against.

Now, with the proposal for another tax increase put before residents Nov. 5, the district says the money would help protect the taxpayers’ investment by paying for critical repairs in the future.

“My primary concern is concrete repair (in the parking lots), as any deterioration could become a significant risk, especially during emergencies when medical or public safety personnel need to access the campus property,” Madison District Public Schools Superintendent Patricia Perry said in an email.

“(The proposal) encompasses essential maintenance and repairs, specifically targeting infrastructure that directly impacts the safety and functionality of our schools. The funds from this sinking fund can only be utilized for maintenance and repair projects, ensuring that they are dedicated to preserving the quality and safety of school facilities, rather than being diverted for other uses.

“In my view, this proposal is crucial for safeguarding our students and staff, particularly in emergency situations,” she continued. “By investing in necessary repairs now, we can prevent more significant costs down the road and ensure a safe learning environment. This proactive approach not only protects our community’s investment in our schools, but also demonstrates our commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of our students and staff, making it a worthwhile endeavor for taxpayers.”

Cindy Holder, president of the Madison District Public Schools Board of Education, said it would be a sound investment.

“I’d hope we’ve earned enough trust showing how we’ve worked diligently and efficiently with the money the taxpayers entrusted us with,” Holder said, referring to the many projects completed with the previous bond. “This would help cover repairs from this year for the next 10. That’s far more cost-effective than having to buy these items outright if they break down. So again, I’m hoping we’ve earned enough trust for this to pass, so that we can continue to move the district forward.”