Voters approve millages in Romeo and Lake Shore

Voters in Romeo and St. Clair Shores overwhelmingly approved millage proposals that were on yesterday’s ballot.

In the Lake Shore Public Schools district, 60% of the voters approved an operating millage proposal while in the Romeo Community Schools district, 63.6% of those who cast ballots approved an operating millage while 62.1% approved a building and site sinking fund millage renewal.

“This vital piece of our budget accounts for more than $2.6 million annually,” said Lake Shore Superintendent Joseph DiPonio. “The millage rate has been reduced over the past several years due to rising property values.

“The results from yesterday’s election will not only restore the millage rate to its previous level, but also secure the funding mechanism for our district for the next decade.”

Lake Shore Public Schools and Romeo Community Schools sought to retain the current statutory 18 mills levied on all property except principal residences and avoid the loss of funding due to Headlee Amendment rollbacks that inflation caused to go into effect for the first time in more than 20 years.

Approval of the replacement millage will allow the districts to continue to receive revenues at the full per-pupil foundation allowance set by the state.

Romeo Community Schools also asked voters to approve a 1.25 mill building and site sinking fund renewal. The millage was first approved by voters in 2000 and last renewed in 2019.

Funds from this millage are used to make building improvements to facilities throughout the district. Teacher salaries, maintenance or operating expenses cannot be funded through this millage.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the voters’ overwhelming support of our two millage renewals,” said Romeo Community Schools Superintendent Todd Robinson. “At the outset of this election campaign I shared how this was the next critical step in our plans to provide the best educational program and facilities for our students, staff and community.

“In the coming months, we will keep area residents informed as we continue enhancing the educational program in Romeo Community Schools.”

Results from the Macomb County elections can be found at macombdaily.com/2024/02/28/macomb-feb27-2024-primary-election-results.