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That's the message school officials in the county want to get out to the public.

The following school districts will have non-homestead millages on the May 6 ballot issue: Almont, Dryden, Imlay City, and Lapeer.

Kevin Rose, assistant superintendent of finance for the Lapeer Community School explained that Proposal A was passed by Michigan voters in 1993. The non-homestead millage is part of the state law.

"Most homeowners and businesses were paying two to three times what they're paying in property taxes," Rose said. "They approved a Constitutional vote. It took the property taxes for schools and got rid of it for individuals and replaced it with a state sales tax. As part of it, businesses need to pay 18 mills as a base amount, which is non-homestead. Every five years or so, the time frame can be different, we have to vote on it. This is a piece required under Proposal A." Rose said under Proposal A, a non-homestead millage only costs business owners. It is a tax that's required to be levied under state law.

The following is a synopsis for each school district's issue:

The Almont Community Schools will ask voters to consider a two-year operational millage proposition on non-homestead properties to levy the maximum 21 mills. It means $1.135 million of the district's operational budget would be levied from 18 mills on each dollar of the taxable value of an affected property for 2008 and approximately $1.135 million in 2009.

The average taxpayer is not affected by the non-homestead levy. Properties affected include those that are commercial, industrial, rental homes, or qualified agricultural.

Almont School Superintendent Steve Zott said about the ballot issue, "We've been doing a series of one-year requests. We're asking for a two-year renewal because there could be a change in election law. The community seems to understand it's a levy on non-homestead property and a standard part of school funding."

Voters in the Dryden Community Schools will be asked to consider a non-homestead operational millage renewal for two years that equates to $599,000 in operational revenue.

Dryden School Superintendent Tom Goulette said voters in his district have historically been supportive of the non-homestead millage. "If this doesn't pass we don't get full state funding," Goulette said. "The key is it's almost $600,000 - equivalent to our fund equity. It's our savings. It would be devastating if it didn't pass. It is built into state funding. The state requires us to pass this."

The Imlay City Community Schools are also asking voters to levy the maximum levy of 21 mills as a renewal. Revenue from the levy composes $2.393 million of the school district's operational budget.

Lapeer County's largest district - the Lapeer Community Schools - will also ask voters to renew the current 21-mill tax levy on non-homestead property for five years. Revenue from the levy makes up approximately $6.984 million of the LCS district's operational budget - about 13% of it.

Voters on May 6 will vote at their regular voting precinct. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day.

Jennifer Decker can be reached at 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com.