Voting Day: Bonds and Millages on the Ballot Tuesday, May 6

Posted By: Ashley Smith
May 6, 2025 @ 8:33 am
Local News

77b2ce0e-0625-43bf-a8d7-7a004fcf87a2-150x150994017-1

Jackson, Mich. (WKHM) — Voters today will determine the fate of a few bonds and millages on the ballot.

Leoni Township Public Safety Millage Renewal

Voters will determine if the 1.5-mill tax that was last renewed in 2020 will remain in place for the years 2025 through 2029. This tax is specifically used for the operations and equipment for the police and fire department in Leoni Township. A Blackman Township Public Safety Millage was passed last november.

Blackman-Leoni Township Department of Public Safety Director Darin McIntosh believes the measure will pass, but also says that if it doesn’t, there’s a good chance the department would not be able to provide the same amount of service they currently do.

The millage, should it pass, would be expected to raise slightly more than $821,000 per year.

East Jackson Community Schools Bond Proposal

East Jackson Community Schools has a bond proposal on the May 6 ballot for a total of $12.34 million. This proposed bond would not result in a mill increase if passed. East Jackson Superintendent Jeff Punches told WKHM why he believes now is the right time to put this on the ballot, and what the bond is proposed to help fix.

Superintendent Punches also explained what steps the district would likely take if the proposal fails.

He told us that the bond will have an impact beyond just the walls of East Jackson Schools.

Vandercook Lake Schools Operational Millage Renewal

Vandercook Lake Public Schools has an operating millage renewal proposal on the May 6 ballot. Should the proposal pass, the district would continue its current millage rate of 18.9 mills from 2026 to 2030. Vandercook Superintendent Melissa Bradfield explained to WKHM what the operational millage does for the district and what it means for the millage to be non-homesteaded.

Superintendent Bradfield emphasized the importance of the millage to the day-to-day operations of the district.

If the operating millage renewal proposal fails, Superintendent Bradfield says that would result in the district making massive cuts to their programs.

Springport Public Schools Bond Proposal

Springport Public Schools has a bond proposal on the May 6 ballot looking for a total of $32.7 million. Like the East Jackson Schools bond, should the proposal pass, there would not be any net mill increase. Springport Superintendent Christie Robinson detailed some of the facility upgrades the district is looking to fund with the bond.