LMC pleased with millage vote

Published 2:16 am Wednesday, August 9, 2006

By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Lake Michigan College's request for a millage renewal passed.
The Berrien County Clerk's Office reported this morning county results of 1,647 voting yes and 874 voting no. The unofficial numbers from the college district showed 8,776 in favor of the renewal and 5,462 opposed. The district includes Berrien County, Covert Township and the South Haven Public Schools district.
"The college appreciates the support we've gotten from the voters of our district," said Laura Kraklau, director of marketing services for LMC. "This definitely allows us to look forward to providing service and programs that will keep moving our region forward."
The school was proposing a renewal of the property tax levy of .6698 mill, or $0.6698 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation. The current millage of the same amount expires with the 2006 tax levy and was for general operating purposes.
Kraklau said LMC made a strong effort to notify the voters in the district of the college's intentions. The school tried to inform voters through mailings and several media stories, Kraklau added.
"Anytime that there is a millage renewal … you never take it for granted. Our goal is to definitely try to get the word out to the residents of our district to let them know what the millage is about," Kraklau said.
The 20-year renewal will go toward the college's revenue budget. The renewal represents 38 percent of the college's total tax levy of 1.7977 mills. LMC's total millage rate is the seventh lowest among Michigan's 28 community colleges.
LMC will collect an estimated amount of $4,364,000 in revenue in 2007, the first year of the levy. The college's 2006-2007 revenue budget was established at $27,627,858.
Property taxes account for 41 percent of LMC's total funding while tuition and fees make up the second largest portion of the school's budget at 30 percent. State money provides 17 percent of the budget.
"Certainly had it not passed, we definitely would have gone back to the drawing board and see what our next move would be," Kraklau said.