A look at local debt retirement mill rates puts Hemlock Public School District's 3.9 mills into perspective.
HEMLOCK, MI — There is no shortage of opinions when it comes to school taxes. But when discussing millage rates, the numbers provide a much clearer picture.
At Hemlock Public School District, that number is 3.9 mills, and a comparison with nine neighboring school districts shows that Hemlock's debt retirement mill rate is lower than six of them.
That's right. Two-thirds of the comparable school districts included in this review have higher debt retirement mill rates than Hemlock.
How Does Hemlock Compare?
The comparison includes ten school districts, including Hemlock, and examines the millage rates used to repay school construction bonds.
Six districts have higher debt retirement mill rates than Hemlock:
Saginaw City
Swan Valley
Carrollton
Merrill
Chesaning
St. Charles
Three districts have lower rates: Birch Run, Saginaw Township, and Frankenmuth.
Hemlock's rate of 3.9 mills places it below the majority of districts included in this local comparison.
"Sometimes the conversation about school taxes gets complicated by assumptions and opinions," said Superintendent Dr. Don Killingbeck. "But this is a straightforward comparison. Hemlock's debt retirement mill rate is lower than six of the nine districts we examined. We believe it is important for our community to know that."
Putting 3.9 Mills Into Perspective
One mill represents $1 in property tax for every $1,000 of taxable property value.
For a property with a taxable value of $100,000, Hemlock's 3.9-mill debt retirement rate works out to approximately $7.50 per week, comparable to the cost of one specialty coffee drink.
It's a simple way to put the numbers into perspective. The actual tax amount varies based on a property's taxable value.
The comparison focuses specifically on debt retirement millage, allowing residents to see how Hemlock's rate compares with those of other local districts using the same measure.
Board of Education President Matthew Wesener emphasized the importance of providing clear, understandable information.
"Our community deserves accurate information about how Hemlock compares with neighboring school districts," Wesener said. "When you look at the actual debt retirement mill rates, Hemlock is below six of the nine districts in this comparison. We also want residents to understand what 3.9 mills means for a property owner in real dollars. Providing that perspective helps people have informed conversations about school finances."
Facts Over Assumptions
School millage rates are public information, and comparisons like this one provide useful perspective for residents.
Every school district has its own circumstances, including different debt obligations, property tax bases, and capital needs. Still, the numbers in this comparison are straightforward.
Hemlock's debt retirement mill rate is 3.9 mills. Six of nine comparable districts have higher rates. Three have lower rates.
"We welcome questions and conversations about school finances," Killingbeck added. "Our goal is to make sure those conversations begin with accurate information. In this case, the numbers speak for themselves."
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