K E L L O G G

C O M M U N I T Y

C O L L E G E

Millage Renewal Information

November 6, 2012 www.kellogg.edu/renewal
1. Why is Kellogg Community College asking voters to renew its capital millage?

In order to continue providing high-quality educational and career opportunities for area students, KCC intends to renovate some of its aging facilities to make them modern, energy-efficient and adaptable for future needs in a cost-efficient way that serves students as well as the public.

2. What will this cost the taxpayers?

The requested millage rate is .75 mill, which is an annual tax of 75 cents for every $1,000 of taxable value of homes and properties in the Colleges taxing district. This will cost the owner of a $100,000 home in Calhoun County $37.50 per year for 15 years, at which point the tax will expire. To figure the yearly cost for your own property, use this formula: Market value of your home, divided by two, divided by 1,000, multiplied by .75.

Binda Theatre

8. Who will have the opportunity to vote on this millage?

3. How exactly will the money be spent?

Initially, the millage would pay for repairs and renovations at the Miller Physical Education Building, the Davidson Center, the Mawby Center and the Binda Theatre, each of which is located on KCCs North Avenue campus in Battle Creek. While the previous capital millage in 1998 funded many improvements, it didnt cover everything. For example, Miller needs roof repairs, a new heating and cooling system and renovations in the athletic and classroom spaces. Davidson and Mawby need renovations in the classrooms. And Binda needs a new mechanical system and an expansion of the lobby to accommodate the crowds that attend performances. Repairs and renovations at these four buildings, which represent only a portion of the capital needs at KCC, are projected to cost $19.3 million. The remainder of the millage money collected, about $20 million, will be targeted for future repairs, technology upgrades and system replacements at all KCC facilities within the taxing district, including the Eastern Academic Center in Albion and the Regional Manufacturing Technology Center in the Fort Custer Industrial Park. A pair of exhaustive studies projected what the needs and costs will be to maintain the Colleges campus in good condition over the next 15 years. Those needs will range from boiler replacements to parking lot resurfacing.

All registered voters in the Colleges taxing district can vote on the millage. The taxing district includes most of Calhoun County and small portions of Barry, Branch, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties.

9. How can I register to vote?

If you are a resident of the Colleges taxing district, are a U.S. citizen and will be at least 18 years old by Nov. 6, 2012, then you are eligible to vote. If youre not already registered, you can do so until Oct. 9 at your county, city or township clerks office or at any Secretary of State branch. KCC also is planning to host a Secretary of State Mobile Branch Office on the North Avenue campus on Sept. 17.

Barry Co.
37 78 66 89

Calhoun Co.
Jackson Co.

96

BEDFORD

PENNFIELD

CONVIS
69

LEE

CLARENCE

94

94

BATTLE CREEK
94

EMMETT

MARSHALL
94

MARENGO

SHERIDAN
94

Kalamazoo Co.

69

LEROY

NEWTON

FREDONIA

ECKFORD

ALBION

99

66

60

ATHENS

BURLINGTON

TEKONSHA

CLARENDON

HOMER
99

60

No. By law, money collected from this millage may only be spent on improving facilities for students and the public.

Joseph Co.

4. Will any of the money be used to increase salaries and benefits of KCC employees?

Hillsdale Co.
SHERWOOD UNION GIRARD
69

BUTLER

Branch Co.
MATTESON BATAVIA COLDWATER QUINCY

5. How will local residents benefit if the millage is approved?

Local students, who range from teenagers fresh out of high school to older workers in need of job-specific training, and lifelong learners who take personal enrichment classes, will continue to find opportunities at KCC in optimal learning environments that are modern and well maintained. In addition to benefiting students, the improved facilities would serve the public uses of KCC buildings, including Binda Theatre and the Miller Physical Education Building. The millages investment in the Colleges infrastructure will ensure appropriate learning spaces are available to students and the public now and over the next 15 years. The College also has a history of hiring local construction companies for renovation work, which leads to an increase in the communitys employment and economic activity.

KCC tax district

10. Where can I cast my vote?

You can vote with an absentee ballot or in person. Call or visit your local city, township or county clerks office for additional details on polling locations and the absentee voting process. More information can be found at the Michigan Secretary of States website at Michigan.gov/sos.

Miller Physical Education Building

6. Why is KCC asking for .75 mill and not a full renewal of .85 mill?

In 1998, voters approved a millage rate of .85 mill that paid for a series of improvements. KCC has been an excellent steward of the publics money in the past and, with a majority of the major renovation work already completed, staff believe the College will be able to manage future expenses in a way that allows for a reduced millage rate to taxpayers.

7. How much money will the millage generate for KCC?

The millage is expected to generate $2.6 million in its first year, 2013, and an estimated total of $39 million over its 15-year lifespan. That money could be leveraged to bring in even more sources of revenue to the community, similar to how the 1998 millage money, which generated more than $40 million from local taxpayers, was used to bring in an additional $27 million in grants from other sources, including the State of Michigan, local businesses and agencies.

For more information, contact Eric Greene, Director of Public Information and Marketing, 269-966-4088.

KELLOGG
COMMUNITY COLLEGE