BE SURE TO VOTE
Vote on Tuesday, November 3, 2026
QUESTIONS?
Please contact either Chuck Hughes or Rachel Bois to answer any questions you may have.
Chuck Hughes
Superintendent
(810) 626-2100
Rachel Bois
Chief Financial Officer
(810) 626-2124
2026 Proposed Sinking Fund Replacement
Overview
Overview
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, voters will be asked to consider replacing the current 0.5-mill Sinking Fund millage that is set to expire in 2026, and extend the levy from 2027-2036. This levy provides approximately $900,000 annually to fund:
- Facility and infrastructure improvements
- Safety and security measures
- Technology devices and infrastructure
- Student transportation and utility vehicles
Why is replacing the existing sinking fund important?
The State of Michigan does not provide funding for school building, construction, or repair. Instead, school facility upgrades are primairly funded through local voter-approved millages.
The sinking fund millage helps ensure that:
- School facilities remain safe, functional, and up to date
- Emergency repairs can be addressed without disrupting instructional budgets
- Investments in infrastructure protect the community's prior investments in school buildings
- Students and staff benefit from high-quality learning environments
The sinking fund plays a critical role in maintaining our district's assets while preserving General Fund resources for direct educational purposes.
For a complete list of projects covered under the CURRENT .5 MILL Sinking Fund, please visit our 2016 (Ten-Year) Sinking Fund Page.
How Has The Existing (2016) Sinking Fund Been Spent?
How Has The Existing (2016) Sinking Fund Been Spent?
Overview
Since initially approved in 2016, the sinking fund has provided the resources necessary to make critical infrastructure improvements while preserving the General Fund for direct educational purposes.
Building Improvements
- HVAC/Electrical/Mechanical Upgrades
- Pool Upgrades
- Paving
- Exterior/Interior Doors
- Classroom Soundfield Amplification Systems
- Wireless Connectivity
- Building Signage
Safety
- Fire Alarm at Hartland Middle School
- Exterior Wall Replacemenet at Lakes Elementary School
- Pool Stairs
- Fencing
Expanding Facilities
- Press Box at Soccer Field
Read The Full Ballot Language Here
Read The Full Ballot Language Here
HARTLAND CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS
SINKING FUND MILLAGE PROPOSAL
SINKING FUND MILLAGE PROPOSAL
This proposal will replace the school district’s building and site sinking fund millage
previously approved by the electors that expired with the 2026 tax levy.
previously approved by the electors that expired with the 2026 tax levy.
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Hartland Consolidated Schools, Livingston County, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed .5 mill ($0.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2027 to 2036, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for the repair or construction of school buildings; for school security improvements; for the acquisition or upgrading of technology; for the purchase of real estate for sites for school buildings; for the acquisition of student transportation vehicles; 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 2027 is approximately $1,041,235 (this is a replacement of millage that expired with the 2026 tax levy)?
FAQ's:
FAQ's:
What is a sinking fund millage?
A sinking fund millage is a voter-approved property tax used specifically for school building and site improvements. Sinking funds are a “pay as you go” system that enable school districts to fund infrastructure projects without borrowing money and paying interest.
How can sinking fund millages be spent?
Sinking funds are legally restricted to specific capital improvements, including:
- Building repairs and construction
- Site improvements
- School security
- Technology upgrades
- Transportation & utility vehicles
How is a sinking fund different from a Bond?
Mechanism
Bond: Operates like a mortgage, funds are borrowed up front to fund large scale capital improvements
Sinking Fund: Operates like a savings account, funds are collected annually via millage and spent as they become available
Debt & Interest
Bond: Yes. Principal and interest payments are due over time (25-30 years)
Sinking Fund: None. No borrowing or interest payments
Typical Uses
Bond: Large-scale building additions, renovation, or technology infrastructure projects
Sinking Fund: Smaller, ongoing facility maintenance or repair, technology devices, or vehicles
Both bonds and sinking funds require voter approval and neither can be used for general operating costs.
Can sinking funds be used for salaries and benefits?
NO! Sinking funds cannot be used for salaries and benefits, teaching supplies, textbooks, or regular maintenance of facilities.
How does a sinking fund help the general fund if the dollars can't be used on salaries and benefits?
Without the sinking fund, expenditures for large facility and infrastructure upgrades would need to come from the general fund, leaving fewer resources for direct educational purposes.
How do I know that the district will spend sinking fund dollars appropriately?
Sinking funds are audited annually for compliance with spending requirements. The district has had no findings on its current sinking fund audits.
When does the existing sinking fund expire?
The final collection under the current millage will occur in December 2026.
Why does the ballot language reference an increase if we are just replacing the current sinking fund that is set to expire in 2026?
The law changed in 2017 and 2023 to expand the allowable use of sinking funds to include security, technology and vehicle upgrades. In order to take advantage of the expanded use of funds, the ballot language legally must reference an increase of 0.5 mills, because technically we are putting a different proposal on the ballot rather than “renewing” the existing sinking fund.
Why is the district currently only collecting 0.4763 milles, even though 0.5 mills were approved in 2017?
The Headlee rollback is a provision in Michigan law that limits how quickly property tax revenue can grow. When property values increase faster than inflation, a rollback is calculated and applied to the millage rate, which then reduces the millage rate.
Due to Headlee rollbacks that have occurred since May 2017, the district is not able to collect the full 0.5 mills each year. In 2025, the sinking fund millage rate was 0.4763 mills.
Will this increase my taxes?
Property taxes naturally increase each year because property values increase. In addition to this standard inflationary increase, an additional 0.0237 mills are needed to restore the millage lost by Headlee rollbacks to the originally authorized 0.5 mills. For a home with a taxable value of $200,000, this restoration would result in an additional cost of $4.74 per year.
Is the Board of Education behind this proposal?
Yes, The Board unanimously approved the resolution to place the Sinking Fund replacement proposal on the November ballot.
Where Can I Vote?
Complete information on the voting process, including clerk office and polling locations, registering to vote, and absentee ballots can be found at the Michigan Voter Information Center.