On August 4, 2026, the Farwell Area Schools will ask the community to approve a non-homestead millage renewal. This proposed renewal will allow the district to continue to levy 18 mills on non-homestead property.
What is it?
The proposed is a renewal of mills on non-principal residence and other non-exempt property. Non-homestead property represents industrial, commercial, and some agricultural property, along with second homes. It does not include a family's primary residence.
By law, all districts are entitled to levy 18 mills on such property. Schools must levy 18 mills on non-homestead properties to receive full State funding. Farwell voters originally approved to levy 18 mills on non-homestead property in 1994, with multiple renewals in recent years. The current millage expires with the 2026 tax levy. Currently, Farwell non-homestead properties are levied at a reduced rate of 17.6344 due to the Headlee Rollback.
This proposal represents an annual renewal of millage over 10 years. The renewal does not affect the taxes on a homeowner's principal residence.
Would This Increase Taxes on Non-Homestead Properties? This is not a new tax and it is not an increase. This is a renewal which means businesses would continue to pay the same millage rate that was paid in 2026.
What Would the Millage Renewal Cost a Principal Residence Homeowner? Nothing! There is NO IMPACT on homeowners' primary residences. If approved, homeowners will not see an increase in their property taxes, nor will failure to renew result in a decrease in homeowners' taxes. This renewal will not affect the taxes on your primary house in which you live.
What is the Money Used For? This non-homestead levy generates over $5 million in revenue for Farwell Area Schools each year. This represents approximately 30% of our total operating budget, which is used to fund daily expenses, programming, student support services, supplies, staff salaries and benefits, and other operational costs. Without the passage of this millage renewal, it would be difficult to maintain programming at current levels.
Vote on August 4, 2026 between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.