Voters approve Lincoln Consolidated Schools operations, recreation millages

By a three to two margin, voters in the Lincoln Consolidated School District approved an 18.2105 millage to keep the district operating. By a similar margin, voters also approved a .1 mill tax that provides operational funding for its senior program, community education program and youth recreation program.

The district relies heavily on an 18.2105 non-homestead tax to operate its schools, and will provide stable funding from fiscal year 2014 to fiscal year 2018. It passed 7,076 to 4,835.

Superintendent Ellen Bonter said voters were asked to approve the millage this year so the district doesn’t have the extra expense of putting on an election for it next year.

The 18-mill operational tax is levied on commercial and non-exempt agricultural properties and generated $3.9 million this year. It’s projected to generate $2.7 million next year.

Homeowners pay a 6-mill tax that is redistributed to school districts by the state through its public school foundation allowance, which is just more than $6,200 per student. But the state assumes the district is receiving its 18-mill non-homestead tax and would not reimburse it if it failed to pass.

Loss of the 18-mill tax would have been devastating to the district, Bonter said.

Voters also renewed the Lincoln Schools recreation proposal 7,965 to 4,009, or 66.5 to 33.4 percent.

The tax generated $211,700 for the three programs last year. A house with a taxable value of $100,000 will pay $10 annually through fiscal year 2018. The senior center provides social activities for seniors and a strong mentor program with Brick Elementary School.

The youth recreation program includes little league, youth football, youth cheer and a wrestling club. Nearly 600 kids from 4 to 14 years old take part in the programs.

The community education program provides a variety of recreation activities for youths, adults and families.

Tom Perkins is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com.