Muskegon Community College Board of Trustees places operating millage restoration on August ballot

At a recent board meeting, the Board of Trustees at Muskegon Community College unanimously approved a proposal to place an operating millage restoration on the ballot for the August 4, 2026 election. The proposal asks the voters of Michigan’s Muskegon County to approve a new millage of 0.2980 mills which would restore the college’s operating rate to the 2.4 mills it was originally approved back in 1993.

The restoration would undo decades of reductions that were caused by the Headlee Amendment, which lowered millage rates whenever property values increase faster than the rate of inflation. Since the passing of the amendment Muskegon Community College’s operating millage has been lowered to 2.1020 mills. The restoration the Board of Trustees approved would return the rate to the level at which it was originally set, which would generate nearly $2.1 million a year to help support the operation and facilities costs of the school.

In an article posted on Muskegon Community College’s website, the college’s president, Dr. John Selmon, was quoted about the millage restoration, saying, “A lot has changed since 1993. This proposal is about maintaining the foundation that supports student learning and access to opportunities across our community. Over time, the impact of Headlee rollbacks has reduced the college’s ability to keep pace with facility needs, emerging technology, and student expectations. Restoring the millage allows us to address those needs in a responsible and measured way.”

If the restoration millage passes, those newly generated funds would be used to support improvements on the school’s campus, such as critical infrastructure upgrades like ADA accessibility, roofing, cooling, and heating, safety enhancements, and upgrades to student spaces and classrooms. Many of the above systems have not been updated in decades, and need to be totally replaced to remain reliable or even functional. 

Chief Financial Officer Beth Dick was also quoted, speaking about how the proposed millage simply restores what was approved by voters more than three decades ago. She said, “This is a return to the original millage rate that has been gradually reduced over time. For a home with a market value of $250,000, the estimated cost is about $37 per year, or roughly ten cents a day. These funds would directly support the college’s ability to maintain safe, functional, and up-to-date learning environments for students.”

The restoration millage proposal comes on the heels of a community outreach effort that was able to attain over 1,5000 comments from residents of the area around Muskegon Community College. The outreach found that student support, infrastructure needs, and again facilities were a concern of residents, with over 70% saying that they would be in support of restoring the operating millage. 

All registered voters living in Muskegon County will be able to vote in the millage during the August 4, 2026 election. More information about the operating millage restoration approval can be found here.

More information about Muskegon Community College can be found on the school’s website.