What will this RENEWAL & REALLOCATION cost?

Market Value    Taxable Value    Cost by Year    Cost by Month    Cost by Day
               
  $200,000          $100,000           $85.00               $7.08                   $0.24
  $225,000          $112,500           $95.63               $7.97                   $0.27
  $250,000          $125,000         $106.25               $8.85                   $0.30
  $300,000          $150,000         $127.50              $10.63                  $0.35
  $325,000          $162,500         $138.13             $11.51                   $0.38
  $350,000          $175,000         $148.75             $12.40                   $0.41
  $400,000          $200,000         $170.00             $14.17                   $0.47
  $500,000          $250,000         $212.50             $17.71                   $0.59

If you have questions about voting on May 5, 2009, please contact your clerk:

City of Saline - 734-429-4907

Bridgewater Township - 734-428-0372

Freedom Township - 734-428-0822

Lodi Township - 734-665-7583

Pittsfield Township - 734-822-3120

Saline Township - 734-429-9968

York Township - 734-439-8842 X204

 You can also log onto http://www.washtenawvotes.org for more information.

What is a Sinking Fund?

    The sinking fund was first used in Great Britain in the 18th century to reduce national debt. While used by Robert Walpole in 1716 and effectively in the 1720s and early 1730s, it originated in the commercial tax syndicates of the Italian peninsula of the 14th century to retire redeemable public debt of those cities.
    In modern finance, a sinking fund is a method by which an organization sets aside money over time. More specifically, it is a fund into which money can be deposited, so that over time its preferred stock, debentures or stocks can be retired. The amount invested in sinking fund can also be used for purchasing various assets for the company.
    In Michigan for example, school districts may ask the voters to approve a taxation for the purpose of establishing a Sinking Fund. The State Treasury Department has strict guidelines for expenditure of fund dollars with the penalty for misuse being an eternal ban on ever seeking the tax levy again.

    The Sinking Fund millage is an effective mechanism to provide funds for infrastructure  needs as a "pay as you go" program. This program is a fiscally responsible approach and does not burden the district with large interest costs for 20 to 30 years.

What is the Public Recreation Millage?

    The Public Recreation millage is also known to Saline residents as our CARES fund. Cultural Arts, Recreation, Enrichment and Senior Citizens (CARES) millage is what we, as a community, use to enhance various programs.
    CARES funds the daily operations of the Ellen A. Ewing Performing Arts, Center, Saline Senior Center, and the Community Pool at the High School. CARES has also helped with projects that benefit the entire community, such as the Saline Area Soccer Association (SASA) fields, City of Saline – Movie in the Park and Rec on the Go, York Township McCann Park, SAYB&S Baseball and Softball Field Upgrades, Woodland Meadows and Heritage Playground enhancements.

 Why does the District need this money and where will it be used?

Saline Area Schools needs to maintain our buildings and facilities to continue to enhance our community. Our District invests more money into our curriculum and instruction for our students than any of our Washtenaw County peers. To continue to provide exemplary education, we must maintain our investment and protect our schools. 

This infrastructure millage for repair and replacement of brick and mortar style projects, sidewalks and parking lots, roofing, HVAC, and water and sewer projects. It also addresses many safety and security issues and would be allocated for emergency situations, replacement cycles for cement, asphalt, roofing, and other large scale projects. This type of millage is local money that stays in the school district for our students and our community.

What will happen if the millage proposals don't pass?

There is no denying the failure of the millage proposals will result in a reduction in various areas. Our schools are a shared responsibility that we need to support, in order to carry on our tradition in our schools and make our community an incredible place to live. Both of these millage rates are only a renewal and a reallocation. They are not an addition to your current tax rate.