Sinking Fund Renewal
Vote August 4th 2026
Building & Site Sinking Fund
Security & Technology Sinking Fund
NO TAX INCREASE
What is a Sinking Fund?
A Sinking Fund is a dedicated, restricted account funded through voter-approved millage. Under Michigan law (MCL 380.1212), funds can only be spent on specific approved purposes such as building improvements, site upgrades, and technology.
Sinking Fund vs. Bond
Sinking Funds
A sinking fund is a voter-approved limited property tax that provides school districts with an ongoing source of funding for eligible facility, infrastructure, safety, security, and technology needs. Sinking fund revenue is collected annually and generally used on a pay-as-you-go basis, allowing the District to complete projects as funds become available.
Sinking fund revenue may not be used for general operating expenses, such as:
- Employee salaries or benefits
- Routine classroom operating expenses
- Utilities
- General instructional programs
- Regular day-to-day operating costs
Bonds
Bond proceeds generally provide a larger amount of funding upfront, allowing a district to complete major projects sooner rather than waiting for revenue to accumulate over time. The borrowed funds are repaid over a specified number of years through a voter-approved property tax. Bonds are commonly used for large-scale capital projects, such as:
- Constructing new school buildings
- Major additions or renovations
- Significant building, infrastructure, safety, and security improvements
- Technology and other eligible capital improvements
The Key Difference
- A sinking fund provides an ongoing, voter-approved source of revenue that is generally used to complete eligible projects over time without borrowing money.
- A bond provides a larger amount of funding upfront by borrowing money, which is repaid with interest over an extended period.
Building & Site
Proposal 1, Over the course of 10 years
Building repairs and maintenance
School safety and security
Safer entrances and access
HVAC upgrades
Site accessibility upgrades
FAQ
Security & Technology
Proposal 2, Over the course of 10 years
Student devices and classroom technology
Network and system upgrades
Security cameras and systems
Teacher and staff laptops
How have Sinking Funds been used in the past?
New secure entrances
Elementary playground
High school roof repairs
Chromebooks for students and staff
Camera and security upgrades
Parking lot refurfacing
TV monitors & classroom technology
Will these proposals increase my taxes?
No. Both proposals are RENEWALS of existing millages. They will not increase existing tax rates or create new taxpayer debt. You are simply renewing your current commitment to our schools.
What happens if we don't renew?
Without renewal, the district would lose dedicated funding for building maintenance, safety upgrades, and technology replacement, directly impacting every student's education and safety.
No funding for building repairs or maintenance
No funding for school security upgrades
No Chromebook replacement cycle, devices age out without updates
Technology and infrastructure will age without replacement
Repairs may have to come directly from classroom budgets
What does the ballot language look like?
BUILDING & SITE SINKING FUND MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL
This proposal renews millage and will allow the school district to continue to levy the building and site sinking fund millage that expires with the 2026 tax levy.
Shall the currently authorized millage rate of 3.3127 mills ($3.3127 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) which may be assessed against all property in Potterville Public Schools, Eaton County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 10 years, 2027 to 2036, inclusive, to continue to provide for a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings, the purchase of real estate for sites for school buildings, and for all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2027 is approximately $191,778 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2026 tax levy)?
SECURITY & TECHNOLOGY SINKING FUND MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL
This proposal renews millage and will allow the school district to continue to levy the building and site sinking fund millage that expires with the 2027 tax levy.
Shall the currently authorized millage rate of .9464 mill ($0.9464 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) which may be assessed against all property in Potterville Public Schools, Eaton County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 10 years, 2028 to 2037, inclusive, to continue to provide for a sinking fund for school security improvements and for the acquisition or upgrading of technology, and for all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2028 is approximately $177,242 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2027 tax levy)?
How long will the millage last?
Each proposal is for a 10-year period: Building & Site renewed for 2027 to 2036 and Security & Technology renewed for 2028 to 2037, providing stable, predictable funding for strategic improvements.
Why do we need two separate proposals?
Potterville has two separate millages because the original millage was approved for Building & Site purposes. A second millage was later approved by voters after the Michigan Legislature amended the statute to allow sinking funds to be spent on technology and security purposes.
Go Vote
Vote August 4th 2026
Building & Site Sinking Fund
Security & Technology Sinking Fund
NO TAX INCREASE
Learn how to Vote at:
Michigan Department of State
Important Dates:
- Election August 4th 2026
- MOVE deadline June 20, 2026
- AV ballots available for voters June 25, 2026
- Constitutionally-mandated early voting period: July 25-Aug. 2, 2026
- Last day to register to vote by mail or online July 20, 2026
- New voter registrations are required in person for August election July 21-Aug. 4, 2026
