Operating Millage Renewal

The election will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Absentee ballots are available after June 27, 2024.

Early voting will also be available for this election. All registered voters have the option to visit an Early Voting site:

• Bloomfield Hills: Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302

• West Bloomfield: West Bloomfield Library, 4600 Walnut Lake Rd

• Waterford Oaks Activity Center, 2800 Watkins Lake Road, Waterford, MI 48328

Early Voting site hours for the August 6 election will be:
Saturday July 27, 2024 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday July 28, 2024 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday July 29, 2024 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday July 30, 2024 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday July 31, 2024 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thursday August 1, 2024 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday August 2, 2024 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday August 3, 2024 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday August 4, 2024 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

An operating millage generates revenue to support the district’s operating budget. The operating budget funds essential day-to-day expenses such as salaries, benefits, utilities and all costs associated with the district’s educational and co-curricular programs.

The hold harmless millage was first approved by Bloomfield voters in 1994 with the approval of Proposal A which created the current mechanism for providing state funding to school districts in Michigan - the foundation allowance. Under Proposal A, each school district is allocated a per-pupil amount in combined state and local funds to support school operations. A hold harmless district levies additional mills to make up the difference between the state maximum foundation allowance and the combined state and local revenue per pupil the district had received prior to 1994. Those mills are levied on homestead property.

The hold harmless millage is dependent upon a number of variables, including state foundation allowance for each year, the taxable value of the district, and student enrollment. The hold harmless millage is currently 5.1338 mills and it will not exceed 9.65 mills. Bloomfield Hills Schools is decreasing the original authorized millage from 11.65 mills to 9.65 mills on the August 6, 2024 ballot proposal.

The hold harmless millage is levied on primary residences, qualified agricultural property, qualified forest property, supportive housing property, public school academy property, industrial personal property, and commercial personal property.

The operating millage generates revenue to support the district’s operating budget. The operating budget funds essential day-to-day expenses including salaries and benefits, utilities, and all costs associated with the district’s educational and co-curricular programs.  

Voters should be aware the 2020 Bond program was passed to offer one-time funds to support capital improvement needs across the district (furniture in schools, new/completely renovated middle schools, elementary school Kindergarten wings, safety and security updates including new secure entryways/vestibule, technology upgrades, etc.). Bond funds cannot be used for staff salaries and benefits, or other essential day-to-day costs, including classroom supplies, textbooks, utilities, or building maintenance.

The operating millage is not levied on primary residences (the home in which a homeowner lives). It is levied on businesses, second homes, vacant land, and rental property. All school districts in Michigan must levy 18 mills on non-homestead property to receive their full share of state aid.

The current non-homestead operating millage and hold harmless millage rates expire at the end of 2025. The primary election, to be held on August 6, 2024, allowed the District to add this renewal to the ballot now at no cost to Bloomfield Hills Schools.