On Tuesday, most Lowell Charter Township voters will have one issue on their ballot. They will have to decide whether to approve a 1 mill increase to their property taxes.
“It’s for public safety, which would be police and fire protection,” explains Jerry Hale, supervisor of Lowell Charter Township. Currently, township residents pay 0.76 mills in local property taxes. Hale says, “I believe that’s the lowest rate in Kent County.”
Raising property taxes by 1 mill will give the township an estimated $224,860 in the first year. During the last fiscal year, the township spent $169,760 on fire protection provided by the Lowell Area Fire Department and the Bowne Township Fire Department. However, officials say that amount will increase if and when full-time firefighters are added to the Lowell Area Fire Department. Plus, the department is planning to replace a fire truck in 2022, and Lowell Charter Township’s share of that cost is expected to be more than $180,000.
In addition to fire protection, the township would like to have more money available for police services. “We’re becoming more like a city in some parts of the township,” Hale says.
Right now, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office responds to calls as-needed in the township. However, it is possible to contract with the county to have a dedicated officer provide additional coverage. That comes at a cost though, and Hale says the township can’t cover the expense without additional revenue.
If passed, the additional mill will cost property owners $1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value. For example, a homeowner with property that has a $100,000 taxable value will pay $100 per year.
In Michigan, the taxable value of a home is set at half its market value at the time of a property’s sale or transfer. That means if someone bought a $200,000 home in 2019, the taxable value of their property is $100,000. In the years after the sale, the taxable value can increase each year but only by 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. Once the home is sold or transferred again, the taxable value is reset to half the market value.
While most Lowell Charter Township residents will only vote on the public safety millage proposal, those who live in the Caledonia Community Schools district will also be asked to approve an 18-mill property tax on non-homestead properties. This money will be used for school operations.
Both the Lowell and Caledonia ballots can be viewed on the Lowell Charter Township website by clicking on the “Clerk & Elections” option along the left side of the page.
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