Sinking Fund

Sinking Fund Millage Proposal on the Ballot

Almont Community School District voters will see a Sinking Fund Millage Proposal on the ballot. The Sinking Fund Millage would allow Almont Community Schools to plan ahead and address important building and other improvements that benefit students and staff. Proposal highlights:

  • A levy of 2.00 mills ($2.00 on each $1,000 of taxable value) each year for 4 years
  • Estimated revenue of approximately $1,097,871 in 2026 and a similar amount the following 3 years
  • Covers costs the District would otherwise pay from its general Operating Budget for Sinking Fund eligible expenditures

A Michigan School Sinking Fund Millage is a voter-approved local property tax that allows school districts to pay cash upfront for items like building repairs and unexpected capital projects instead of taking on long-term bond debt. By law, these funds are restricted to the purposes in the ballot, like building repairs, and cannot cover day-to-day operational costs like teacher salaries, employee benefits, or utilities.

The Sinking Fund can help Almont Community Schools by:

  • Supporting the repair of school buildings
  • Supporting the repair of district vehicles (not busses)
  • Funding security upgrades to keep schools safe for students, staff, and visitors
  • Providing instructional technology and equipment that supports teaching and learning
  • Allowing long-term planning and budgeting to keep schools up-to-date and in good repair for years to come

The Sinking Fund Committee has maintained a focus on safety and security when considering priority projects for the Sinking Fund Millage Proposal. Priority projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Select sidewalks
  • Select flooring
  • Remaining items to be decided by the Sinking Fund Committee
  • All projects subject to change based on district needs

A Sinking Fund operates entirely separate from the district's standard Operating Budget, which relies on state per-pupil funding and non-homestead operating millage to pay for daily staff and educational programs. Without a dedicated Sinking Fund Millage, building repairs would force the district to pull money out of its Operating Budget to cover those costs, leaving less funding in the Operating Budget for student programming, staff, and day-to-day operations.

Ballot Language

Almont Community Schools
Sinking Fund Millage Proposal

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Almont Community Schools, Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb, and Oakland Counties, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 2 mills ($2.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 4 years, 2026 to 2029, inclusive, to create a Sinking Fund for the construction or repair of school buildings; for school security improvements; for the acquisition or upgrading of technology; for the acquisition of eligible trucks and vans used to carry parts, equipment, and personnel for or in the maintenance of school buildings; for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used to maintain such trucks and vans; and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $1,097,871?

Election Dates and Information

Lapeer County (Almont)

Visit Almont Township's elections webpage

Saint Clair County

Visit Saint Clair County's elections webpage

Macomb County

Visit Macomb County's elections webpage

Oakland County

Visit Oakland County's elections webpage

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is a Sinking Fund Millage?

    A Sinking Fund Millage is a millage levied to fund expenses like school safety improvements, technology improvements, transportation, and the repair and construction of school buildings. It is typically a “pay as you go” system that does not require borrowing money or paying interest.

  2. How is a Sinking Fund Millage different than a School Bond?

    A Sinking Fund Millage differs from a School Bond because a School Bond is essentially a loan that a district takes out and pays back with interest over time, while a Sinking Fund Millage is collected annually without the need for borrowing or accruing interest.

  3. What is the term of the Sinking Fund Millage Proposal?

    The term of the Sinking Fund Millage Proposal is four (4) years, generating an estimated total of approximately $4,379,484 over the four (4) years. The District would not receive the total amount in one lump sum; the district would receive approximately $1,094,871 in 2026 and a similar amount (depending on TV growth) the remaining years.

  4. Why is the Sinking Fund Millage on the November ballot?

    The passage of a Sinking Fund Millage would provide a dedicated source of funds for the District to address safety improvements and projects and building repairs and improvements that would otherwise come from the general fund and allows more of the general fund to go to educating students.

  5. Can the Sinking Fund Millage be used for operational costs and salaries?

    No, the law restricts Sinking Fund Millage proceeds from being used for operational costs, such as staff salaries, textbooks, or general classroom supplies. The funds can only be used for purposes described in the ballot, like building-related expenses such as repairs, technology upgrades, and infrastructure improvements.

  6. I am not a registered voter yet. What do I need to do?

    Visit the State of Michigan's voter registration webpage .

  7. Who do I contact if I have more questions?

    Contact Superintendent Kyle Wood if you have any questions. You may email him at [email protected] or call Almont Community Schools Central Office at 810-798-8561 .