Question 3: Van Buren Conservation District Millage Renewal Proposal

This proposal will allow Van Buren County to continue to fund conservation programs at 0.0989 mill which represents the previously-approved 0.10 mill with the required Headlee Rollbacks factored in.
As a renewal of previously authorized millage which expired with the 2025 levy, the question presented in this ballot proposal is - Shall the expired previously voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Van Buren County, Michigan, of 0.1000 mill ($0.10 per $1,000 of Taxable Value), reduced to 0.0989 mills ($0.0989 per $1,000 taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at up to 0.0989 ($0.0989 per $1,000 taxable value) for a period of ten (10) years, 2026 through 2035 inclusive, for the sole purpose of funding Van Buren Conservation District programs including assisting landowners in the protection, enhancement, and restoration of natural resources, assist agricultural producers in the protection of soil and water and implementation of best management practices on farmland, increase household hazardous waste and recycling collection opportunities, and continue water quality initiatives, within the boundaries of Van Buren County?
A portion of the revenue collected may be required to be distributed to the Downtown Development Authorities, Tax Increment Financing Authorities, Local Development Financing Authorities and Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities established in Van Buren County, City of South Haven, Bangor City, Hartford City, Keeler Township, Villages of Lawrence, Lawton, Paw Paw and Mattawan.
If approved and levied in full, this millage will raise an estimated $442,463.54 for Van Buren Conservation District services in the first calendar year of the levy based on taxable value. The estimated cost to a household owning a $100,000 (SEV $50,000) home would be $4.945 per year.