In November Houghton portage township schools seek to renew the non-homestead operating millage. The millage rate funds about 12 percent of the district’s annual budget. Local sources of funding in HPTS’ budget, include the non-homestead millage, primary residence property taxes, and voter approved bonds, add up to 2.3 million dollars of the 17 million dollars the district uses to operate. The state mandated limit on the non-homestead millage rate school districts caps at 18 mills and has been in place since 1994.
First off, it’s important to know the non-homestead millage is not on primary residences. So, it doesn’t affect a primary home. But it accounts for about 12 to 15 percent of our operating budget. And it helps us continue to do the great things we do for students at Houghton Portage Township Schools. – Anders Hill, Superintendent, Houghton Portage Township Schools
The Houghton Portage Township School district has linked some information on the non-homestead millage renewal at the top of the district’s website. Those interested in learning more about the non-Homestead millage renewal can find more information online.
Houghton Portage Township Schools stretches from the City of Houghton to the Laird Township border, encompassing Portage Township. The district’s border wraps around the Chassell School district via Oberlin Road and Boundary Road. HPTS is also bordered by Adams Township Schools to the west. The non-homestead millage rate would apply to properties with businesses, and second homes, as well as properties used for short term rentals with hosts such as Airbnb.
Voters who reside in our school district will see the following question on the ballot November 4, 2025:
Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 17.1103 mills ($17.1103 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Houghton-Portage Township School District, Houghton County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 5 years, 2026 to 2030, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $2,500,000 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2025 tax levy)?
