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L A N S I N G . :illfHIGn,S 4G3i3
Thomas R j t t o r , Vlco P r ~ s ' d n n t
r.lbl rc A f E .2i r - < / ' i n d u s t r y Rel;ttfcns
; . ? ~ x a n d o rh a r r l l Lon L ! f e I n s u r a n c e Company
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r h i s i s i n response t o y o u r r e q u e s t f o r a d t x l a r a t o r y r u l fng c o n c s r n i n g thr2
. p ~ 1I c ~ @ i:y
t l a f t h e MJchigan Campaign F i n a n c e A c t ( t h e A c t 1, 1976 PA 388, 3 ,? ~ + ~ r j q d tp o a d v e r t f s ~ m e n t spurchased by t h e Alexander Ilarnil t o n I- ife Instie-an<=
("ornpany (Alcxar;(irr riami l t a n 1 p r f o r t o t h e Farrnington School D i s t r i c t e l e c t i o n
he1 d on February 5 , 1992, i n which two r e l a t e d m i l l a g s p r o p o s a l s a p p ~ a r e don
thg ballot.
Coples o f t h e a d v e r t i s e m n t s i n q u e s t l o n a r e a t t a c h e d as
4 d v e r t i s e m e n t s A, R, C and D.
t o u r q ' ! ~ ' t i o n s qsnora? ly c o n c e r n whether t h e advertisements c o n s t i t u t e
c ? x p o n d f t t ~ r e su n d s r t h e Act.
You a l s o ask whether b r o c h u r e s produced and
distributed by t h e F a r m i n g t o n Pub1 i c School s c o n c e r n i n q t h e same e l ~ c t l o na r e
. : ~ t j e c t t o t h e Act's r~qlr!rements. Copies o f t h e schools1 1 j t e r a t u r o a r c
*;ft8ched as Brochures I , !I and 111.
":- : o ~ r - ~ r a r 17,
y
1991, y o u r r q u e s t f o r a r u l j n q was made a v a i l a b l . ? t o t h r : i ~ l - ~ ' l i cas r e q u f r c d by s e c t i o n 1 5 ( 2 ) o f t h e A c t (MCL 169.715).
Wrltt~n
~ o m w n t sc o n c e r n i n g y o u r r q u e s t were s u b m i t t e d by Ms. C y n t h i a W t l l i a r n ? i r ~ Y n
r n bcha'i f o f t h e M i c h i g a n E d u c a t i o n A s s o c i a t i o n (bIEA).
C m w n t s were a l s o
r-ecefved from Ms. K a t r i n a Jensen, a F a r m f n g t o n I l i l l s r e s i d o n t who had
p r - - v f o n s l y f i l e d a c o m p l a i n t a q a f n s t A l e x a n d ~ rl l a m l l i o n c-oncar-nlnq t h r . :,?,rcr,i t d v ~ tri s s m c n t s .
I n a February 1 3 , 1991. d l s m i s s a l l ~ t t n r ,1 t j o Onpat tmnrrl , , f
; t a t s i n v i t e d Mq. J ~ n s ~t on s u b m i t w r i t t e n c c m w u t s r ~ q a r d i n qt h e r u l t n q
TIP?^, a f t ~ cr r p l a i n i n q t h a t q u e s t i o n s c o n c e r n i n g t h arlvvr
~
t i s e m ~ n t qkro1~1
r:
. c a-;dresr,ed through t h o d e c l a r a t o r y rrll i n g procesq.
A l t h o : ~ g h n o t r q u j u i r ~ dby s t a t u t e , t h e Department p r o v i t l ~ dyou w i t h c o p i e r ~f
' r i p Tpwin ant! i r r r s e n ccmm-nts.
On A p r i l 8, 1991, you q u h m 4 t t n r l a w r i ! t ~ r : - ~ s p o n s ed e q c r i 5 i n g A l o r a n d e r l i a r n i l t o n ' s p s s i t i o n on each o f t h s q ~ r ~ s t i o n s
M r . Thomas R i t t e r
May 23, 1991
Page 2
presented. A l l o f t h e c o m m n t s f i l e d w i t h r e g a r d t o your r e q u e s t have been
c a r e f u l l y cons! dered and w:l 1 be discussed as needed be1ow.
W h i l e y o u r r u l i n g r e q u e s t concerns 1 i t e r a t u r e prlrchased by Alexander H a m i l t o n
and t h e Farmington School Q l s t r i c t ( t h e School D i s t r i c t ) , s e c t i o n 63 o f t h e
A d m i n i s t r a t i v e Procedures A c t o f 1969, 1969 PA 306, as amended ( M a 24.2631,
p r o v i d e s t h a t a d e c l a r a t o r y r u l i n g b i n d s o n l y t h e agency and t h e person
r q u e s t f n g t h e r u l fng.
I n a d d i t i o n , r u l e 6 ( 1 ) (1979 AC R 169.6) o f t h e
a c h i n d s t r a t i v e r u l e s promulgated t o implement t h e Michigan Campafgn Finance
A c t s t a t e s t h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e may i s s u e a d e c l a r a t o r y r u l i n g t o an
! ' I n t e r e s t e d personvv i s d e f i n e d as a persDn whose course of
I n t e r e s t e d person.
a c t d o n waul d be a f f e c t e d by t h e d e c l a r a t o r y ru's ing.
The Farrnington School D i s t r i c t i s n o t an i n t e r e s t e d person w i t h i n t h e meaning
o f r u l e 611) and, p u r s u a n t Po s e c t i o n 63 o f t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i v e Procedures Act,
w B F 1 not be bound by t h e r u l i n g you have requested. Therefore, t h f s analysds
will f o c u s on t h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t s purchased by Alexander Hamil ton.
As a c o r p o r a t i o n , Alexander H a m i l t o n i s s u b j e c t t o t h e requirements o f s e c t f o n
5 4 o f t h e Act lMCL 169.254).
S e c t i o n 54 p r o h i b i t s a c o r p o r a t i o n from making
c o n t r i b u t l o n s o r expenditures i n candidate e l e c t i o n s .
tlowever, i n a d e p a r t u r e
from t h e l o n g s t a n d i n g p r o h i b i t i o n a g a i n s t d i r e c t c o r p o r a t e involvement i n
p o l i t i c a l campaigns, s e c t i o n 54 p e n i t s a c o r p o r a t i o n t o make e x p e n d i t u r e s f o r
t h e q u a l i f f c a t i o n , passage o r d e f e a t o f a bal l o t quest ion.
Specif i c a l l y r
section 54(31 states:
"Sec. 54.
(3 Noth f n g i n t h f s s e c t i o n s h a l l p r e c l u d e
a c o r p o r a t i o n o r j o i n t s t o c k company from making an
independent e x p e n d i t u r e i n any amount f o r t h e
q u a l i f i c a t i o n , passage, o r d e f e a t o f a b a l l o t
question.
A c o r p o r a t i o n making an independent
e x p e n d i t u r e under t h f s s u b s e c t i o n s h a l l be considered
a b a l l o t q u e s t i o n committee f o r purposes o f t h i s a c t . "
i \ c c o r t i i n g t o your r e q ~ ~ ~ Alexander
st,
I i a m i l t o n has f f l e d a statement o f
o r g a n i z a t i o n as a b a l l o t q u o s t i o n committee w i t h t h e Oakland County C l e r k .
F'ursuant t o s e c t f o n 2 4 ( 4 ) o f t h o Act ( M a 169.2241, t h e company i n d i c a t e d i n
t h e statement o f o r g a n i z a t i o n t h a t i t d i d n o t i n t e n d t o r e c e i v e o r expend more
than $1,000.00 f o r any e l e c t i o n . As a r e s u l t , t h e c u n m i t t e e o r g a n i z e d by
Alexander H a m i l t o n was n o t r e q u i r e d t o f i l e campaign s t a t m e n t s u n l e s s i t
r e c e f v e d c o n t r i b u t f o n s or made e x p e n d i t u r e s o f more t h a n 51,000.00 t o
i n f lusnce t h e outcome o f t h e February 5 m i l l a g e e l e c t i o n ( M a 169.235).
You do n o t d i s p u t e t h a t Alexander H a m i l t o n p a i d more t h a n $1,000.00
advertisements i n question.
However, it i s your p o s i t i o n t h a t t h e
a d v e r t i s e m e n t s a r e n o t e x p e n d i t u r e s as d e f i n e d i n t h e Act.
f o r the
b'tr, Thomas R i t t e r
May 7 3 , 1991
Page 3
;lie d e f i n i t i o n of " ~ x p e n d i t u r e ' ~
i s found f n s e c t i o n 6 o f t h e Act ( M a
iii9.2ri6).
This sectton states, i n p e r t i n e n t p a r t :
".C,ec. 6.
(I
8Expendi trrr-ef means a payment, donation,
l o a n , or. prtxn lss o f payment o f money o r a n y t h i n g o f
ascert~
itlab1 e monetary v a l ue f o r goods, m a t e r i a l s ,
sprvlces. o r f a c i l i t i e s i n asslstancc of, o r I n
oppo'ttfon t o , t h e n m i n a t i o n o r e l e c t i o n o f a
candidate, o r t h e qua1 i f i c a t i o n " passage, o r d e f e a t of
a bal l o t q u e s t i o n . If
?,h r e s p e c t t o a r n f ; l a g e e l e c r i o n p a p a y m e n i Es an "expenditur-elq i f i"?.
s q s i s t s o r opposes t h q~u a l f f f c a t f o n , passage o r d e f o a t o f a q u e s t i o n which i s
-8~bmitSed o r I n t e n d e d t o bo s u b m i t t e d t o a p o p u l a r v o t e a t an e l e c t i o n .
:ording t o s e c t i o n 3(13 o f t h e A c t (MCL 169.2091, a payment m e e t i n g t h i s
~ v ' i n i t t i o n i s irrr ""l'ndopndeni e x p e n d l t u r e w i f ift i s n o t mado a t t h e d i r e c t !qr;
u r c o n t r o l o f another person and it i s n o t a c o n t r i b u t i o n t o a c m m i t t ~ e .
1-e t e 5 t employed i n s e c t i o n 6(1) i s w h e t h ~ ta payment i s i n a s s i s t a n c e o f car
i n o ~ p o ~ i t i ot o
n the passage o r d e f e a t o f a bal l o t q u e s t i o n .
A payment can
- a c s P s l o r oppose a b a l l o t questDon w i t h o u t d l r e c t l y a d v o c a t i n g a p o s i t f 0 h on
Lhe issue. For example, f f a group campaigns a g a i n s t a b a l l o t q u e s t i o n and
p a y s r e n t f o r a campaign o f f i c e , fees t o a c o n s u l t a n t , and t h e c o s t o f p o l i s
arid s u r v e y s # t h e payments a r e c l e a r l y .In o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e bal l o t proposal
aven though t h e payments do n o t communicate t h e group's p o s l t i o n on t h e
- u b j e c t o r issue.
Payments t o communicate on a s u b j e c t o r i s s u e a r e s u b j e c t t u a d l f f e r e n t
S p e c i f t c a l ly, s e c t f o n 6 ( 3 ) ( b ) p r o v i d e s :
s t a n d a r d under t h e Act.
" ( 3 1 Expendl t u r e does n o t i n c l u d e any o f t h e
following:
" I b ) An e x p ~ n d i t u r ef o r communication on a s u b j c c t o r
i ? s q : + I f t h o canmunfcation doec n o t qupport o r o p p o w
a ha? l o t i s s u e o r candidate by name o r c l ~ a r
in f e t - e n c ~ .
.rn e x p e n d i t u r e f o r a rommunication on a s u b j e c t o r d s ~ n ei s t h e r e f o r e cxcluded
s
cr:! t h e A c t i s r e g u l a t i o n I f i t t8docs n o t s r ~ p p o r t o r o p p o q ~a bal l o t i s s r w nr.and i d a t e by namP or- c l e a r i n f e r ~ n c e . Conversely, i f a comrnuriication
r u p p o r t s o r oppose5 a b a l l o t q u e s t i o n o r c a n d i d a t e by namn 0' c l e a r Inference,
t. i s q t ~ b j e c t t o t h e A c t q s r q u i r e m ~ n t s .
M r . Thomas R i t t e r
May 2 3 , 1991
Page 4
You hava asked f o r c l a r i f i c a t i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e meaning o f s e c t i o n 6 ( 3 ) ( b ) .
S p e c l f i c a l l y , you ask t h e f o l l o w i n g q u e s t i o n s w f t h r e s p e c t t o t h e
a d v e r t i s e m e n t s purchased by Alexander Hamil t o n :
1
What c r i t e r i a separates advertisements t h a t
I s u p p o r t ' o r 'oppose' a b a l l o t questfon, from t h o s e
t h a t merely d i s c u s s t h e i s s u e from an o b j e c t i v e p o i n t
o f view, f o r t h e purposes o f d e t e r m f n i n g which
e x p e n d i t u r e s must be r e p o r t e d under t h e Campaign
Finance A c t ?
"3A.
Speci f i c a l l y , do t h e adver-tisements purchased by
Alexander tlami l t o n L i f e which d i s c u s s budget data from
t h e Farmington P u b l i c Schools o r those t h a t p r e s e n t
absentee v o t e r i n f o r m a t i o n , c o n s t i t u t e e x p e n d i t u r e s i n
support o r o p p o s i t i o n t o a b a l l o t q u e s t i o n under t h e
Campaf gn Finance A c t ? "
As your r u l i n g r e q u e s t suggests, t h e r e i s l i t t l e , i f a n y t h i n g , i n t h e A c t
which a s s i s t s i n d r a w i n g t h e l i n e between cmmunicatSons which merely i n f o r m
and those which s u p p o r t o r oppose a p a r t i c u l a r c a n d i d a t e o r issue.
I n your
A p r i l 8, 1991, cmmentsr you suggest s e v e r a l examples o f ccmrnunications which,
i n your j u d g n e n t p would meet t h e "support o r oppose by name o r c l e a r
i n f e r e n c e " standard. These i n c l u d e a statement t h r e a t e n i n g a v o t e r w i t h d i r e
consequences i f a c a n d i d a t e o r I s s u e should w i n o r l o s e , an emotional appeal
based on d e s i r a b l e moral a t t r i b u t e s , o r a "high1 y-skewed p r e s e n t a t i o n o f
a l l e g e d f a c t s , which has t h e e f f e c t o f l e a d i n g a v o t e r u n r e l e n t i n g l y towards
t h e s u p p o r t o r o p p o s i t i o n o f a p a r t i c u l a r b a l l o t i s s u e o r candidate."
These h y p o t h e t i c a l examples may o r may n o t be t y p e s o f communications which
would be s u b j e c t t o the A c t ' s r e g u l a t i o n , depending on t h e f a c t s and
c i r c i m s t a n c e s o f each case.
However, t h e y do n o t c r e a t e a s t a n d a r d o r t e s t
which can be used i n d e t e r m i n i n g whether a p a r t i c u l a r c m r n ~ ~ n i c a t i oi ns
oxcluded from t h e Act by s e c t i o n 6 ( 3 1 ( b ) .
blfchigan c o u r t s have n o t been ca7 l e d upon t o c o n s t r u e s e c t i o n 6 ( 3 ) (b), n o r i s
t h e r e a n y t h i n g i n t h e A c t ' s l e g i s l a t i v e h i s t o r y which i s u s e f u l I n t h i s
regard.
However, feder a1 j u r i s t s have on s e v e r a l occasions i n t e r p r e t e d
language found i n t h e Federal E l e c t i o n Campaign A c t which, 1 ike s e c t i o n
6 ( 3 ) ( b ) , i s based upon t h e c o n t e n t o f a crmmunlcatfon.
'vJhile b o t h s t a t u t e s a t t m p t t o r e g u l a t e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l l y p r o t e c t e d speech, 2
USC 4 3 1 ( 1 7 ) d i f f e r s from s e c t f o n 6 ( 3 ) ( b ) I n two I m p o r t a n t r e s p e c t s . F i r s t , i t
appl i o s o n l y t o independent e x p e n d i t u r e s made f n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h a f e d e r a l
@andidate e l e c t ion.
Second, i t does n o t d i s t i n g u i s h between speech which
~Tsupport~
o ru "opposes" a c a n d i d a t e by name o r c l e a r i n f e r e n c e . Rather, i t
F?r-.
Thomas R i t t e r
t4ay 2 3 , 1091
['ago 5
i ~ p i lc s t o an ~ x p e n d i t u r e" e x p r e s s l y advoca t i n y
e;pci I o n o r d e f e a t ? f a
Whi i e t h p s e s;.anba -ds nldv d i i ' f e r , t h e fcder;;!
:?=rariy ? d e n t ! f i e d c a n d i d a t e . "
.:l:scs a r e u s e f u l i n c o n s t r u i n g s e c t i o n 6 i 3 ) ( h i .
t t i t !
concept o f cxpr-ess advocacy d o r i v e r , i r o n t l ? o IjniL-cc! S t a t e r , Sllpreme C o u r t
g-j-3ca"sicn
i n &ick_]_~
.J b 1 . k ~
42:!
~ U S 1; 96 5 Ct 612; '$6 1- Ed 2nd 653 117761,
.";I: t i t s ! zimr.~, :;ectio~-i :iOB(e)(1) o f t h e f e d e r a l a c t proh i h i t e d c?>rp@ntliltrireso f
,?xlit'ye t h a n f I , C 0 0 , 3 4 iqadvocating t h e E - I ~ E c ~ ?oi'
' ; : ~& f e z $ "
0 ) a cdi,tiidnii_*,
Fn
.;:-c!ei- L O a v o i d d e c l a r i n g t h i s ;~rnuisJoneve: i y vague and i n v i o i a t , . , : ~ o f t h e
s ; r s t Amendment,
t h e C o u r t r u l e d t h e a c t c o u l d on1 y a p p l y t o ccmmun i c a i i a n s
<".31 ~ P e ~ ~ r aed v~o csa t7e ~t h e e l p c t ! o n o r :jsir:at ~ j r d clt.,l-".
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''vi<?
l u t l e t h a t p p p ~ c t tneed n o t i n c l u d e any o f t h o
wol dk i i q t ~ 3i n Guc-kLey t o be o u p r e s s advocacy undor
t h e Act, b u t i t m u s t p when r e a d as a whole, and w i t h
l i m i t e d r e f n r e r b c ~t o e x t e r n a l s v ~ n t s , bo s u q c - v p t i b l e
o f n o o t h e r r e a s o n a b l e ' n t e r p r o t a t i o n b u t as an
e x h o r t a t t o n t o v o t e for- a s p o c l f i c c a n d i d a t e .
Th i s
;tandard can be brolton i n t o t h r e e main components.
F i r s t F even i f i t i s n o t p r e s ~ n t ~i nd t h c c l e a t - c s t ,
most e x p l i c i t language, speech i s 'expre.;~' f o r
p r e s e n t p u r p o s ~ sI f i t s message f s i ~ n m f q t a k a b l cand
unamblquous, s u g g e 5 t l v s o f o n l y one p l a u s l b l e moaninq.
S~>cond,speech may o n l y Re t ~ r m e d' a d v o c a c y t i f i t
p r - s c n t r a c l e a r p l e a f o r a c t i o n , an< t h u q ?p~-?ch t h a t
i s m e r e l y i r i f o r m a t i v n i s n o t c o v ~ r e dby f ? ) t . A c L .
I j n a l l y , i t r n i ~ q t hc c i v a r what a c t i o n i c - iidvnc-atpc!.
' , l w c t i c;i~srlot t)n tnxpr w s ~cjunr;7r y. o f 1 rirb f.1 P C - l ir:r~ o r
t!efnrrt o f a c l ~ ~ t r il dyn n t i f i ~ t fc a n t l i (la t ~ w' t ~ ~ t ~
I-easonable niinds c o u l d d l f for- a s l o whether i t
encc~uraqss a v o t e f o r o r again.;:
a c a n a f d a t n nr
encourages t h r~e a d e r t o t a k ~sor!= 0 t h ~ ) -k i n - : O F
action."
Furggkh, supra, p 3 6 4 ,
GIIT
: + . . i ! ee x p r e s s advscacy i s n o t t i l e c t a n d a r d f3tlr0:f i n ? o r 1 f ~ ?O ( 3 ) ( h ) , t h p
k;ic;,igat~ Supremq C o u r t , i n d e c l a r i ~ ga p r o v i s i o n o f an ~ a r l i e rp o l l t i c a l
reform s t a t u t e p r o h i b i t i n g corporations f r o m p a r t f c i p a t i r r i n b a l l o t q o ~ s t i o n
--;-sctions : i n c o n s t i i u t i o n a i , a y r e o d t h a t " r p l o l ! t!cal ~ x p ri . s q i r r l must b e
- s f c r d e d t i l e I ~ r o ~ : d o s pt r - o t w t i o n i n o r d e r t o as:;,ire tkrl. : I ; ~ ; - t t ~ r c d
i a t e r c h a n s c o f { $ - a s f o r t h e a r i n g f n q a b o u t or ~ o l i t i - a ia n d s o c i a l c h a n a ~ s
M r . Thomas R i t t e r
May 23, 1991
Page 6
Advisorv O p i n l o ~
To i n s u r e
a communication on a s u b j e c t o r i s s u e must be
t o determine Df t h a t c c m m u n i c a t ~ o ni s s u b j e c t
d e s i r e d by t h e people.
I"
kt 2.2d, 396 Mich 465, 4 9 4 (1976).
oConsti'tuk19naI
~
f t v ~f 1975 Public
t h i s p r o t e c t i o n , t h e c o n t ~ n to f
examined on a case by case b a s i s
t o regulation.
There i s n o b r i g h t 1 i n e c r i t e r i a s e p a r a t i n g i n f o r m a t l ' o n a l speech from speech
whish s u p p o r t s o r opposes a c a n d i d a t e o r b a l l o t q u e s t i o n by name o r c l e a r
Inference.
Rather, as t h e case law suggests, s e c t i o n G(3) ( b ) must be
f n t e r p r e t e d t o m a n t h a t t h e A c t does n o t a p p l y t o a ccmmunicatisn on a
s u b j e c t o r i s s u e u n l e s s t h e communication, when read as a whole, unambiguously
p r e s e n t s a d l s t d n c t plea f o r a s p e c i f f c a c t i o n w f t h r e s p e c t t o a c l e a r l y
I d e n t 9 f i e d candidate o r bal l o t question.
Your quesefons may t h e r e f o r e be
answered by a p p l y i n g t h f s t e s t t o each o f t h e advertisements purchased by
81 exander Hamil ton.
mxawder
Hami Iton advertisements
T h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t s i n q u e s t i o n a r e a t t a c h e d as Advertisements A, 5 , C and D.
Advertisement A i s e n t i t l e d "Just llow Much 1s Enough?" and, i n s m a l l e r p r i n t ,
s t a t e s l v F a n i n g t o n School s propose t o i n c r e a s e p r o p e r t y taxes an a d d i t i o n a l
BOX."
The m i d d l e p o r t i o n o f t h e a d v e r t i s e r r e n t fncludes a c h a r t showing
changes i n t h e Farmington Pub1 i c School s general fund expenditures, p r o p e r t y
taxes, i n f l a t f o n index, s t u d e n t e n r o l l m n t and s u r p l u s funds from 1986 -to
1991. Below t h a t c h a r t i s a graph showing t h a t "Spending O u t s t r i p s I n f l a t i o n
And Enrol 1rnentsll' andg i n a s e p a r a t e box, i n f o r m a t i o n e x p l a i n i n g absentee
v o t i n g procedures t o s e n i o r c i t i z e n s .
T h i s f a c t u a l i n f o r m a t i o n i s i n t h e m i d d l e o f a l e t t e r from R.H. Headlee,
c h a i r p e r s o n and CEO o f t h e company, t o Farmington taxpayers.
I n the text of
t h e l e t t e r , M r . Headlee i n d i c a t e s t h a t Alexander H a m i l t o n i s "very t r o u b l e d "
p o i n t i n g o u t t h a t "expenditures have increased
by " e x c e ~ s i v o spending growth,
78% i n t h e p a s t f f v e y e a r s w h i l e s t u d e n t e n r o l l m e n t has o n l y i n c r e a s e d 5% i n
t h e same t i m p e r l o d .
A f t e r r e s t a t i n g t h e p o i n t , ( " P r o p e r t y t a x e s and
spending have i n c r e a s e d almost f o u r times f a s t e r than t h e r a t e o f f n f l a t i o n v )
t h e f i r s t , paragraph concludes by r e p e a t i n g t h e q u e s t i o n " J u s t how much i s
araough?"
-the
second paragraph, a p p e a r i n g j u s t above t h e c h a r t s , begins 'We a r e a l s o
t r o u b l e d " by r e p o r t s o f below averaga s t u d e n t t e s t scores " I n a school
d i s t r i c t t h a t spends almost t w i c e as much p e r s t u d e n t as t h a s t a t e average."
The paragraph concludes by a s k i n g "Are we g e t t i n g orir money's w o r t h and j u s t
how much i s enough?"
Below t h e c h a r t s , t h e l e t t e r again asks " j u s t how much i s enough?", a f t e r
s t a t i n g t h a t t h e school I s General Fund c o n t a i n e d a $14.9 m i l 1 i o n s u r p l u s .
:e t t e r concl udes:
The
Yr, Thomas R i t t e r
?lay 2 3 , 1331
Page 7
V " e a s e keep i n mind y o u r assessmeni-s r i i i 1 be r a l ' s e d
one month from now, i n c r e a s f n g y o u r p r o p a r t y t a x e s .
T h f s r e q u e s t f o r an a d d i t A n a 1 over-iOX p r o p e r t y t a x
i n c r e a s e i s unnecessary and e x c e s s i v e .
Many
Rcmeowners and b u s i n e s s t a x p a y e r s a r e a l r e a d y
Jn a d d j t f f o n to t h e
stretched t o the I l m i t .
s i ~ b s t a ~ t i az;s?5smn
:
t I n c r e a s e s t h a t have h i t
b u s f n a s s e s and homeowners a l j l c e , t h l s i s n o i t h e t i w
t o r a i s e p r o p e r t y t a x r a t e ; f o r t h e b c R i I-d t i m e ir,
t h r e e years.
Thomas J e f f e r s o n once s a i d , $The p r i c e
~f l i b e r t y i s e t e r n a l v i g i l a n c e .
Cem~hasirf n
c t - i g i r ? a li
'"
!'Be V i o i l a n t l
1941
Be I n f o r m e d l
V o t e Tuesday,
Febr-uary 5 ,
A d v e r t i s e m e n t €3 i s v e r y s i m i l a r t o Advertisement A.
I t , too, l's a ? e t t ~ m -frat;:
%r. Headleo t o t a x p a y e r s and i n c l u d e s t h e same c h a r t s on s p e n d l n g and
enrollment.
(The a b s e n t e e v o t e r information box I s r e p l a c e d by a drawSng c t f
Alexander H a r n i l t c n l s h e a d q u a r t e r s .
The a d v e r t i s e m e n t i s t i t l e d VhXPAKRS1
KLEQT'~and s t a t e s t h a t " b o t h y o u r s and o u r t a x burdens w i l l i n c r e a s e i f t w o
propossci s c h o o l m i l 1 ago p r o p o s a l s w i n v o t e r a p p r o v a l on Tt~esday, F e b r l ~ a r y!ip
11 991.
"
A d v e r t i s e m e n t B i n c l u d ~ sa p a r a g r a p h c r i t i c i z i n g t h e School D i s t r i c t v s
l e a d e r s h i p , s t a t i n g " t h a t t h e i r s p e n d i n g p r i o r i t i e s and management o f
1- ikr! A d v e r t isemsnt !Il,
r e s o u r c e s i s df f f i c u l t, i f n o t impossi b l e , t o dgfend."
t h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t c o n c l u d e s w l t h s t a t e m e n t s t h a t t h e " r q u e s t o f an a d d l l f o n a l
over -10% p r o p e r t y t a x I n c r e a s e i s unnecessary and e x c e s s i v e " and t h a t " t h i s i s
n o t t h e t i c e t o r a i s e p r o p e r t y t a x r a t e s f o r t h e t h i r d t i m e i n t h r e e years."
d p w a r i n g above Mr. H e a d l e e ' s s i g n a t u r e , i s t h o same d e c l a r a t i o n :
"Rr
V i g i l a n t 1 De I n f o r m e d l Vote Tuesday, F e b r u a r y 5, 1 Q Q I 1 "
N c ; t i ~ e r a d v c r t i s m ~ n ts p o c i f i c a l l y asks v o t e r s t o cas 1 a n q v o t e ,
tlow~\.c:
wnen e i trbcr A d v e r t i s e m e n t A o r AdvertOqorwnt B 1s t-cad as
wholes n a r h
:~n?mh'r;urlusiy p r e s ~ n t sa d i s t i n c t p l e a t.o School D i s t r i c t r o c - i r l ~ t i t sIri * . ' '
ac~?:r!sP. t h e r n f l i a p c r q t ~ e s t . The a d v e r t i s e m n t s do n o t r e f e r t o ' ' i ' i 3 1 , - i i t l o n
1" o r " P r o p o s i t i o n I I " , a s t h e two r c l a t e d p r o p o s a l s appeared on t h e baP t o t .
~ w d r v e r , by d e s r r i b l n g t h e p r o p o s a l s (a r q u e s t t o r a f s ~p r n l r s r t y t a x ~ rby
10" j a r ~ ds p e c i f i c a i l y r e f e r r i n g t o f h e d a t e o f t h e sctrnoi e l ~ c t i o i ie 7~c L ,
. ~ d v e r t l s e r n o n t f n c l l l d e s i n f o r m a t i o n c l e a r l y Id e n t i f y i n g t h c bal l o t qlsr : i,;:;
which i s t h e s u b j e c t OF t h e ~ ~ r n u n i c z t l o n .
r ~ n e a t e dq u e s t i o n " j u s t how rnllch i s enough?'' i n A t j v e r t t s ~ n o ~A t and
' 5 " t t - o ~ ~ b l ~by
d " "rjxcessfve
5pondfng growthu s u q q e s t t h a t Alexander H a m i l t o n I s n ? p o c , ~ dt o tho bal l o t
c~t:~z;tion. !lilwever, t h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t s go much f u r t h n r .
The f r c a l paraqrsplr
c f e a c h a d v e r ~l r i e m n t q t a t e s t h a t t h e proposed t a x l n c r c a s c i.; " u n n ~ c e s s a r y
!bc\
?tclt m e n t s i n b o t h a d v e r t i q e m e n t q t h a t t h e company
M r . Thomas R i t t e r
May 2 3 , 1991
Page 8
and excessive" and t h a t " t h i s i s n o t t h e t i m e t o r a i s e p r o p e r t y t a x r a t e s f o r
These statements a r e f o l l o w e d c l o s e l y by t h e
t h e t h i r d t i m e I n t h r e e years."
e x h o r t a t i o n t o "Vote Tuesday, February 5, 1.991Pst The message i n t h e r e
advertisements f s t h e r e f o r e unmistakable.
B o t h Advertisement A and
Advertisement O c l e a r l y ask F a n i n g t o n v o t e r s t o r e j e c t t h e School D i s t r i c t s
request f o r a m i l l a g e i n c r e a s e .
I t must be concluded t h a t 'the c o s t s o f purchasing Advertisement A and
Adver tisement 5 were n o t excluded f r c m t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f "expenditure"
by
section 6(3)(b).
Each advertlsement was a communication which opposed a
Consequently, payments
s p e c i f i c bal l o t q u e s t i o n by name o r c l e a r inference.
f o r t h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t s must be r e p o r t e d as e x p e n d i t u r e s under t h e Act.
A c a r e f u l examination o f Advertisement C l e a d s t o t h e same conclusion.
This
a d v e r t i s e m e n t b e g i n s ttATTENTION ALL TAXPAYERS l Ele&ion - Februarv 5 # 193.%-L'S
(A1 i emphasis appears i n t h e advertisement i t s e l f . 1 I n somewhat snlal l e r type,
t h e a d v e r t f sement c o n t i nues "Farm l n a t ~ nSchool s Drupose t o i n c r e a s e ~ r ~ p e r t y
t a r e s !w an a d d f t i o ~ a l lo%." F o l l o w i n g i s a graph d e p f c t i n g spending and
i n f l a t f o n r a t e s s i n c e 1986, which a1 so appears i n Advertisements A and B.
There a r e t h e n f i v e sentences o f t e x t which i n c l u d e : "This new r e q u e s t f o r -m
a!djtianal 10% p r o p e r t y t a x i n c r e a s e i s unnecessary and excessive" and
t h i s i s n o t t h e t i m e t o r a i s e p r o p e r t y taxes f o r t h e t h i r d t i m e i n t h r e e
years."
Again, t h e advertfsement concludes "Be V i g i l a n t 1 Be I n f o r m e d l Vote
Fsbrua ry 5 t h ! "
". . .
When read as a whole, Advertisement C a1 so unambiguously p r e s e n t s a c l e a r p l e a
t o v o t e r s t h a t t h e y r e j e c t t h e m i l l a g e r e q u e s t appearing on t h e February 5
e l e c t i o n b a l l o t . The d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e m i l lag8 proposal and t h e prominent
mention o f t h e February 5 e l e c t i o n p l a i n l y r e f e r t o a s p e c i f i c b a l l o t
questfon.
The i n f o r m a t i o n p r e s e n t e d concernfng spending, f n f l a t f o n and f u t u r e
r a i s e s i n assessments i s f o l l o w e d by t h e message t h a t t h e "new r e q u e s t u - t h a t
Is, t h e b a l l o t q u e s t i o n - i s "unnecessary and excessive," and t h a t " t h f s i s
The
n o t t h e t i m e t o r a i s e p r o p e r t y t a x e s f o r t h e t h i r d t l m e i n t l l r e e years."
' T i m u r e f e r r e d t o i s c l e a r l y t h e February 5 e l e c t i o n , which 1s mentioned
prosninently i n t h e advertisement.
Once a g a i n a i t must be concluded t h a t
Advertisement C opposes a c l e a r l y i d e n t i f i e d b a l l o t q u e s t i o n by name o r c l e a r
inference, and as such t h e c o s t o f t h e advertisement i s a r e p o r t a b l e
e x p e n d i t u r e under t h e Act.
Advertisement D, on t h e o t h e r hand, does n o t appear t o be a communication
which s u p p o r t s o r opposes a b a l l o t i s s u e o r c a n d i d a t e by name o r cleatinference.
T h i s a d v e r t 1 sernent s t a t e s i n 1arge, b o l d t y p e " A t t e n t i o n Senior
C i t i z e n s f " and e x p l a i n s t h a t t h e r e i s an e l e c t i o n on February 5, 1991, a t
which t h e F a m i n g t o n Schools a r e p r o p o s i n g t o i n c r e a s e p r o p e r t y taxes by Ifan
a d d i t i o n a l 10%". The advertlsement c r i t i c i z e s t h e school board f o r n o t
a u t m a t f c a l l y sending absentee b a l l o t s t o s e n i o r c i t i z e n s and t h e n e x p l a i n s
how t o v o t e absentee.
The advertfsement concludes:
"VOTE FEBRUARY 5MI
M r . Thomas R i t t ~ r
May 2 3 . 1991
Pago 3
f i ~ l v e r t i s ~ m c nDt i n f o r m s s e n i o r c l t i z e n s t h a t a s,-'lc-11 v i l l a g e c1cctioi-r 7s
t',cr:t t o rcciJr, e x p l a i n s hgw t o v o t e absentee, an{; enccuraqes s e n i o r s t 3
cxercise t h e i r franchise.
However, t h e adverti5ernov:t does n o t i n avy way
:h;rrar",r
i z e t h e m i l l a g e p r o p o s a l , d e s c r l h e A l e x a n d e r t{ami I t o n ' s p o s i t i c n a:.
f ie bz'i l o r ? : r e s t i o n , o r o t h e ~ ~ i ss u
e g g e s t Pow a r,er:iliq otrghl- t o vote.
!'l.reforc,
Advert i s a r w n t D does n o t nnarnb:gt~au<iy p r n s r n r a clear- p1t.a f c r a
: c c i f i z -9:t,:$)n w t t 1 3 rnsr)e:t t o t h e p n n d i n q b a l l o i qclesl i47n, and + b e co+t o f
J J l t . ; advcp t i s n r r a . i t
i s exclrtded frcm t h e Act by s ~ c + i o nG f ' ) ( b ) .
r;rmrrarirs, A d v e r - t l s m e n t s A, R and C a r e r ~ r r m r ~ n l c a t i ownh~i c h c l e c \ r l y
~ a m ao r ~ l n - r+ n r p r n n c p l + h e t ) + l l - f 77.3poi;l) p r ; r c ~ l ; t e ? tr : n : ~ r r ,
;:. f l i p F n t t t d a r y 5, 1591, F a r m i n g t o n Scnon! I s : s L s i c i P c r : ' 3 1 l , T h 5 0
? * % n r t l s ? ~ r e n t . swerr i h ~ r s f o r ee x p e n d i t u r e + l ~ n d e rt h e q c t ,
I f Alexander
,$-:nil Lon p a i d a toLa1 o f niore t h a n S1,000.00 f o r t h e a d v c r t i s o r n e n t s , t h e
-ti~-we~l.lf
:. v8)s: bo r c p o r t ~ dby A l e x a n d e r t i a m l l t o n p u r s r ~ a n tt o 5 e c t i o n 3 4 ( 4 1 o f
' 4 -
A b- 'rl ? r . ; ; ~ t i , !:v
+be Act,
lr !-ti1 f r l q r e q t : e ~ t I n r l udes t w o a d d i t i o n a l q u e s t i o n s c o n c e r n i n g b r o c h r ~ r e s
- l i d f o r by t h o Schoql D i s t r l c t .
S p o c l f i c a l l y , you ask i f t h e c r i t e r i d
? p o l i r r l t : ) t h e d d v e r t i s c r n e n t r , purchased by h l e x a n d e r !lamil t o n a p p l i p s ?qua; !y
i n pub1 i c bodies, such as s c t ~ o o l boards. You a l s o aslc whether t h e
~~r:mmr~nicstion
from
s
t h e School D i s t r i c t , a t t a c h e d as O r o c h n l - ~ sI , I1 and 111,
c o n s t l t i l t e a x p e n d i t u r p s tjndc?.r t h e Act.
/as prav i o u s l y n o t e d , t h e Farmingt.on School D i s t r i c t w i l 1 not. be bound by t h e
d e c l a r a t o r y rul i n g and i s n o t an I n t e r e s t e d p e r s o n w i t h i n the m a n i n g o f r i l l e
f>!lj o f t . h e Depar-tmpntf s a d r n f n i s t r a t i v e r ~ ~ l c s tlowcvsr,
.
boc:a~rse s i m i l a r
i s s ~ ~ chave
s
&en
r a i s t s d I n t h e p a s b t h e D ~ p a r - + m n t ' 5p o s i t i o n r e p ~ r t i i n gl h e
k t f s a p p l i c a t , l o n t o r;chool d i s t r i c t s i s s e t c o r t bs?ow.
I t I s yctrr c r m t r n t i o n t h a t t h e A c t does n o t di<tingtl;c;:i :~.?+vron p u b l i c ar~tJ
;.i-!.u;.,te ? r g a n I 7 a t l o ? ~and t h e r e f o r e appl ie-. t o "any aarl a1 1 n r g a n i : a t ? o v s a n d
n d i v iilil i l l , '' J n c l { . d i i l q p u b 1 i c en t i t i p s .
t t o w e v ~ s , a-; P g-nor-?? sr!?r. t h ~ l
, t z r p , i t . ; a g e n c i e s a n d p o l i t i c a l c,uhdlv i s l o n s a r e c c t I n c l udad H ? t h i n t r t n
p u r v i e w o f a s t d t u t ~c r n l w s an i n t n ~ ir,n
t
t r . I n c ' t t ~ dt h
~o n i s c l c a r .
Mjs-~'jt~.,&
C Q J J - ~v ~)i~r-kemJJ~h_lg~_Clniyer_s_lfy,,
.~
I l i hfi(:h App 5 7 1 !19flll; I O K , " r 5 5 "?56, PIQ 2242r ;, 692. A school d i s t r i c t 1.; a s t a t e a v n r v c r w t ~ dhy t h ~
!cglslaturc. J-otes v Gr_iind_Led~e__P_ubJjl;-Sci~r)&.
3 4 9 M t ~ h1 (iQ57;.
'\"
$ pq u ~ ? n t l y , a s c h o o l d i s t r i c t
i s s u b j e c t t o r c g r r l a t i o n o n l y i ?t h c
I
~ g i s l a t ~ ri net o n d e d t h a t t h e A c t a p p l y t o ;rho01
.".;
;;ntj p o i n t o u t ,
districts.
any p e r s o n who r e c e i v e s c o n t r . i h u t i o n ;
o r makes c l - p c n - i i t!i~i..
i o : n f ~ ~ l C ? i ~t h
Ce? a c t l o r l rjf v o t e r s may be s u b j e c t t o t h e 5 c t . l ~ ;r e q ! ~ j r m " n t s ,
5'F'orsons' I s dpf i n e d i n s e c t f o n 11(1) o f t h e Act (MCI. l 5 9 . 2 l I ! ;rp a "b~~s!;rcss,
: ? c : v i d ~ iprqpt-ieto!-c.11i p , f i r m , p a r t n e r s i ~
i p s faint v n n t : ~ - - c ,ry~c!!ra7ij n:
tli~rines.; t r u s t 9 l a b o r o r g a n i z a t i o n , company, c o r p o r a t i o n , aq.;~ciat.ion,
M r . Thomas R i t t e r
May 23, 1991
Page 10
committee, o r any o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n o r group o f persons a c t i n g j o i n t l y . "
There i s no mention o f any s t a t e a F n c y o r school d i s t r i c t which, c o n t r a r y t o
YOUP. a s s e r t i o n , sugcjests they a r e e x c l u d e d from t h e A c t ' s r e g u l a t i o n .
Tho obvious reason f o r t h i s e x c l u s i o n i s t h a t school d i s t r i c t s have no
a u t h o r i t y t o spend p u b l i c moneys t o advocate a f a v o r a b l e v o t e on a m i l l a g e
proposal o r t o o t h e r w i s e i n f l u e n c e t h e e l e c t o r a t e i n s u p p o r t o f o r o p p o s i t i o n
t o a b a l l o t question.
OAG, 1965-1966, No 1291, p 1 (January 4 , 1965); O N ; ,
1987-1988# No 6423, p 3 3 (February 24, 1987); OAG, 1987-1988, No 6531, p 367
(August 0, 1988). The o p i n l o n s o f t h e A t t o r n e y General I n d i c a t e , however,
t h a t a school d i s t r i c t has i m p l i e d power t o make reasonable e x p e n d i t u r e s t o
g f v e v o t e r s r e l e v a n t f a c t s t o a s s i s t t h e m i n r e a c h i n g an informed j u d g n e n t on
Dssues t o be v o t e d on a t a school election. Therefore, canmunications by a
school d i s t r i c t c o n c e r n i n g a b a l l o t q u e s t i o n must be examined t o determine
an examination
whether t h e y c o n s t i t u t e a p r o h i b i t e d use of t a x p a y e r d o l l a r s
t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e has no a u t h o r i t y t o conduct - and n o t whether t h e y
c o n s t i t u t e e x p e n d i t u r e s under t h e Act.
-
Ifp u b l i c funds have been i m p r o p e r l y spent, O K , 1987-1908, No 6423, s u ~ r - a ,
- .l t ; l
: > i --; thsr-. :re
t h r e e a p o r o p r l a t e remedies.
F i r s t , t a x p a y e r s may b r i n g a
-,;isui h r:l e~~.ioi:"p!?tisuni;ufuI
exjse;,d i r u r e .
:eh;cndg a bnai-d ;if z d u c a t i c n maw
i".+gia aia a c t l c r ; a g a i n s t tiao school 4istjric-t t o recower unlawfklf l y ~ x p i c i v ; d
f~rnds. And t h i r d , t h e Attgrnzjc Genei-31 Fay a u d i t i h a ~-'ecordse-P t h e sch.:o'i
d i s t r i c t i f reqwsted t~ do s a f n w r i t i n g by a t l e a s t t!uenty-Five p e r w n i c f
x f t s d i s t r j c t a i - e g i s t e r e d v o t e r s . T f taxp3yeia dqt l a r s hava beon spani
irnpr,>~ei-i
y a :lie A t l a r n e y Gek?sr;,f Eir l o c a l ,srcs;-?.c~ioi.
may ihaa F l l a 3 cizlil
? r i r r > ~tc; recovai- i t l e money.
(14Ci 14.141 agid i d . i % 3j
a
qlrsst-fon of wheLfaer- ai; a ~ ~ n c y 'psr a h i b i t e i i use o f pub1 i c i i r n d s te
i w l l ~ ; t quost:on j s siibject tn t h e I.Fichi3an C;;;.,p3lgn F F n a ~ c eP c t was
. 1 ; i ; i r ~ ? ~ s ( 3by
i j the A t tofnc:-y General i i ~
a l e t t e r o p i n i o n 1.2 S t a t e Reprasent 3 1 ive
h:,h fisi:rson, dat-ed Fky
1982. The fi,i.ticriie:*Genera? cf t i n g o p i n i o n s
, . . $ f a g hat: schriol districtsr s t a t e c n r m i s s l a ~ _and
;
beards, a ~ i t ia corm!.;
t,ssi-t! rrf s ~ ~ p eisfirs
nt
iack s t a t u t a r y a u t h o r i Cy Lo span4 inqnay t o i n f l u ~ l r . - z i k s
. + i t?;rfi3
~f l a c t ' a n s p i eiictied the sams c c n c l u s i o n w i t h r e s ~ s c l .i n
n'r~mi
i;;.ri
; r ' . ~ 6 ? ~ i p ? l & f s t ~ l u t f i ~ ~ f t bpi-esentaf.ive
y .
Emsi-.-an t h e n a s k e d t h e f o i ;7uvit<.j
?1~3;ti~n~:
Itia ;p,ciFic
~dip;t;rii
;
" 2 . fday a do:dnl.om d e v e 1 ~ p v ~ f i abino;'fty
i:
iora a
ccmm t t l e e ucder t h e p r s ~is i c n ~nf z h e Can~;li;ii F i r . a $ ~ ; ~ a
i;ct lor- t h e p u r p o s a o f oxpsi-.:ling fwzrfs t o i:,flr,enc:!
~ . i eo u t ( (:me oaf ;rrl 31 e5? 5 0 n ?
I f a &owntown de:/sSopni-n2fi"t~thor f ' r y ~ 5 i i i : o tr--.:?zi:d
;,:i.l
. I , f c f u i ? d j i:c ;dvoc2t;
a position on a i i a i l o t
i ; : , e ~ t j r , i ; z~iiist
~
r; canpa l g;i stat%enf:
2nd r s : : : - : r t
! - ~ - r j ;r.s-8 5y 1376
395 b s f f j a r j y f '
it
j,
?4r, Thomas R i t t c r
M 2 y 23, 1991
P;aqf?
II
Th." A t t o r n e y General responded t o t h e s o q u o s t i o n s a c f o l lows:
" B e f o r e a downtown development a u t h o r i i y would bo a b l e
t o i ~ n d ~ r t a kt oh e f o r m a t i o n o f a committee, i t w o u l d
";%-st$>a\:e t o possess t h e power t o d r s o undor i t s
Review of t h e var-iol!s p r n v i r i o n r ;
grznt of arithority.
0 6 Shn !JPW:I
t r w n drvolopmont a r ~ht o r f t y statuf -7 I n c - , f i n i t
r ~ ~ a7y
r ?e x p
~r e q s o r imp1 it3d a r l t t > c ~ - f t yf o r a ~ o w n fown
t l c , r l u y n x ~ r : t ;lui.fiur! t y 3rl f ~ s n ia cmm?tf;.c f:)r rhr.
purpose o f ~ r p e n dng
i pub1 i c f u n d % t o f r l f 1 l1Pnr.c. -?n
el c a r t Ion.
I n ro?ponsp t o y o u r w c o n d a n d t h i r d qi~cstion,;. i L my
o p i n i o n t h a t a downtown development a u t h o r i t y may n o t
form e c ~ m r n i tt e n r ~ n d e r 1976 PI\ 388, s-up!-2.
I t i o l lows
tL!l;lt i h c ~p t o v i ~ i o no ~
f 1976 PA 3 0 3 , syma, d r n n o k
a p p l i c a b l e t o a downtown d ~ v e l o p m e n t a u t h o r i t y . "
A school d i s t r i c t , l i k e a downtown develc~pment a u t h o r i t y , E,as n o r , ? a t u t o r y
;ae.!horjey t o ?orin ;t c m m i t t e e f?r t h o p u r p o s e o f s p ~ n d i n qp u h l j c money7 Ro
i . , F l u ? n c c an ~ l o c t i o n . Ac, t h e A t t o r n e y General i n d i c ~ t e c ; , i t m u s t t h ~ r ~r hf- .
be c o n c l u d e d t h a w ~ 5 ~ ) 1 c i 0 1d ! * t r i c t i s n o t s u b j e c t t c ?-he- o t . c v l s i o n s of t h o
M i c h i g a n Campaign F l n a n c e Act.
t h e appl l c a h i l i t y o f t h e Act
t n t h e a t t a c h e d a d v e r t i ~ ~ m e n tput-cliasnd
s
by A1 exandrlt- [lami 1 t o n w i t h r w p e c t t o
t h e ha1 l o t q u e s t i o n s v o t ~ dupon i n t h e r ~ b r u a r y5, 1991, F a r m i n q t o n School
D ! s t r l c t election.
71;i ! : 5 response i s a d e c l a r a t o r y r u l i n g c o n c e r n i n q
ADVERT I SEMEN'T A
Just Ho
&gt.rcil
Is Enough?
W c rrr
i&4i
e:.ai!-rerra
.81ddCbl1
~c
u r i ~ r l v ! c db y r r c c r l t rcln)rl* l i t 4>tls , a t * - ~ p i i r , :(11-i >A^;. L , ~ J
ALrf
MI
41r
l w h > w ~ I r cs t r t c
U 4 t h ~bt1;C
*VCPY&C.
A-c
%-&B<CJ
a r i i'.bn . : ~ ; ~ 1 ) 5 ~ 8 , 6 $
m v c r * ~ cI r r s r r l t t ~ Jbtrbrt
d
t l r r t slnrir.!s : ~ ! , * r a , ~ a sid:rt
W C & c ~ ! : s :i&
?i.< S I D I ~ ? ? C : ' S
- ~ ~ i l -A:,;l : ~
IISW
4, 1 . i ; % is
i~
,..xis
P ' i x d;tctu spi:-+kIcarr tlrcs~isr;i/es:
- ----..-
..-I;arnritrglofil ibublic Scltools
I&-J
- ~ , * - .I&Lrll-.-, E-4 f.-.
f , ro?
s--*<~d-dn.-.-u--.-,:
A 'ms
,.-. a ? ....+!
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-
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!
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y:.-
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.,., !+
3::.
-
Eg.
3
. 7 -
i
.
,l 4 f
,*nkcl..b * , , t ' , , , , * l i A
-11 o<,t'l .t..'\.<'<
i,ni&,i#
all ~ n l t r Lr I I I L C ~ U (MI y e a r s ar-4 u k l t s ) h*r
cabcia1 c k < t h , i ~ mJ l ~ ~ f ~ , ~ ~plmc
t ~M r!uN>I
~ ~ k l ~
J ~ L I F ID, O ~ci,dirwi 111L A C L L t c ~ r ~ r t t b o r ' c d
y f , l k r < ~ p l *hy, r r *!-l
U L ~ L , ~ = L*ib.< proln-da
f
14,
~LYS
I . O i * l f s r q u E . i $2, IIKci ha*,)l w r d r l l*r< a
ball.-4 Lo Irc uul&x? 4r i,our I M J I ~ ~ ~
2.
:LCIWC
z,, I),: x i w . .>b m . , d 'I&LC
k t r t i l r us& r ? n 4~ w . I
VL*..
stJ v o i c
I
Q
RS'
F a r m I n g t o r ~Sc!iools
proposc
l o Illcrease
EKT
propcrty taxcs by a n atlclirior~al10%
I k a r l'axpaycm.
Alcxacidcr Ilacnllton Ufc s h a m your conccrti n h ~ mpldly
~ l
tlslng p n l p c d y tax-. Chlr company
pay, $585.000 in prcqxciy taxcs carh ycar In Farnilngton IIIIL~. Tirat's ovcr $ d R . 0 0 0 per ntonthl
Now. ~ H I I I Iy o u n atid o u r tax i~trnlcnswlll Irtcrca~cI f two pn)lwsvd rrclrcr~l~ ~ r l l l In~~i c r c a ~ w11r
cs
votcr appn,val o n Trrcsclay, r c t ~ n ~ a 5.
r y 1991.
Wc sopport qwallty ml~tcatlon,h r ~ nt r r vcry tm111)lcclt ~ y
thc c x r c r ~ l v cspcntll~iggn1w111In ;IIC
Farci~ir~~lcrri
!kl~cw,lf)i.ilrfcl. Wc arc nko tn)trl~lcdwlrcn a n n c l r ~ ~ l r ~ l s t n larlcl
l o o scfrcw~lI ~ l a r d
ancl c111111ral
ac.tlvlllcs. FarlIc\rlarly
r r s o d ro Imsclcsy cmnllo3al thmats of rrditcrcl I ~ t ~ q l rn i ~,cis,
,
11%a dlstrlct wlierr cxpcndlturts havc I ~ ~ r r c a z78%
c ~ l 111 t r c pa., "vc y c a n wliltr sllrrlcnt c n n i l l n ~ c ~ t t
Itaz ocrly I ~ ~ c r e a s c5%
d In @lac
~ 7 1 1 1 1tlmc
~
pcrltd. It 1% n1orc a n ~ a t t r or
r gtwdwlll and sotrntl
n1anagcnictrl.
3l1c ucrwllllrlgncslr o f rhc dlrtrlct's Icatfcnl~l to dl.xu%sand dcl~atctllmc I*rr~cswlllr tllc citlzcns of
Farmi8lytnn r n d Parn,lngtnn 11111, only m l n $ . m the r o n d t l r l e r ~111at llrclr rpendlng p r b r l t l n and
manapcrncnt of m o u r c c s b d i ~ c u l t If. not l n i p n ~ l l ~ lto
c ,dcfcncl. T l ~ c l amlgancc
r
IS qlrltc l i n ~ p n q x r
sfid m031 rrnlmomlng.
Change
Getlcrat ~ ~ t s l P.xl~r1dIi11t-e
cl
$51.8
P m p c r t y Taxcs
$41.3
Inflatloti l ~ i d e x
112.1
Total Stude~rt-9Erimflcd
10.323
S i l r liw F ~ B I I P ~ S
53.4
p
l l u n d l u l l " ) hrnlnnlna n l k s l p u
Cr sue. .Id -purr.
'I4 3 -nrd
Tlrc dirlrlct liai I~caltliyre3crvcs. At tlrc closc c ~ If ~ I C1990 n ~ c aycar,
l
total s l l r p l ~ h111t1s
~s
III tlrc
Ccncral F I I I Ialonc
~
necm 514.9 n~illlorr,of wl~lclt$4.3 mllllon was r r x r v c d for slatc aid
recaptitre 111 tltc fl.scal 1991 hudgct.
Tlrc mclt~cslof art addltlonal over-10% p r o p c a y tax I ~ ~ c r c aI*r cunnccelrsary and cxcrs.rlvc.
Many I ~ ~ ~ n i r c ) w nant1
c r s h ~ ~ s l n ctaxpayers
ss
a m nlreatly atrctrlrcd to Otc ll~ttlt.111u l ~ l i r l o to
~lrl~c
rrul~slarltlalasrcuu~ric:t(I n c r e u c s t l ~ a tIlavc l11t I ~ ~ ~ s l r ~ cand
s s c aI~oc~tcowrtcrs
allic, 1111s Is no1 I!IC
tlrrlc lo ralbc propcrty l a x m t m for thc tl11r-d llnic In tlircc ycars.
' I l ~ o r i ~Jrffcrson
as
oncc sald, "The prlcc of I 1 I ~ r t yb ctcrnal vlgllancc.'
I
Attention
Taxpayers
I
1:
$a
rL+
g
Farmington Schools propose to increase
property
.*-- taxes by an additional 10%
Spe~~din
Otltstrips
g
Inflation ancl Enrollments!
_
I
_
P
-
7
_
I
_
_
-
!
&Blease
keep i a ~~ r l i l w lyc*cir aswssnkcfits will k ~riset.4
one motrrll from now,
~t~torn.t?ica!ly
irlcrensing your prolxrty taxes. This new rTqucst for p~
g&!fiw~1al_lQ~61
propcrtv t a x Increa5e IS umnccessaq and exccssivs. Many
S a c ~ ~ ~ l c { j - t , l.md
x c r ~h ~ ~ s i c i taxpayers
es~
are already strctshml lo ti"teBirnitl. In
arliliiihr,r~ tr? the sulrs~ntltiaf=$c.ssniernt incr cases that tiave his l~usfrirssesarxd
.ia6pfsrr*te:-.ftrcr\ ; i ! i k ~ ' ,t h i s is not the time to ,.ai.*ep r o ~ r t y
tax ratcs for ~lhetl~ird
tirzis
~lrrer.yc;tfi. Tt~orn~asJcfferson
once said, "The price of I l k f l y 3s
r.teria;al vigii.rlrcc.."
1l.e Vigilant! Be Informedl
VOTE FEBRU
5th!
'Thon~asti. Rlncr, Y k c Patsideat
public n.qnirr and
Industry Rcbtiom
4
public w ~ / l c c
anncntnccmrnt from
Life i n s r t r n n c e (Jormf:an.~'oJrbmcrit m
. J I t * . r r n r t r l ~ i~f.n m l l l o n
Ia
ADVERTISEMENT D
Attention
E?
53
?-
rl
."
.-*.
:
rCi
@onSchools propose
to increase
property taxes by an additional 18%
%bteabsentee . . .
-I
City ss'Picialls aratdsmatically send absentee ballots to all senior
citizens (60 years and older) for general elections. Unfortunately9the schmf board does not emblrace this well-intentione8
pl~ilosopllyfor school millage b d s t proposals.
Here's what to do to vote absentee:
3
2
.-
1.
Mail a request to the schml h a r d for a
balllot to be mailed to your home.
2.
Better yet, g o to the schssll h a r d office
and vote absentee on the spot.
3.
Board office Bocatioal:
Farrnington School Board
Abseratee Ballots
32500 SIliawasee (near Farminstan Rd.)
Farmiragton HiUs 48336
Pfl: 489-3300
Thomas IT. FUtter, Vice President
Public Mains and
Indus~ryRelations
A public service annormcement from
Alcxancier I3flmiLlon t u e Insurmce Gmparay of .4nm&ca
BjBOiCHURE 1
$9
LARKSHIRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
23800 Tuck Rood
Fannlngtm Hills. Michigan 48336-2769
0
ACCREU~! t~
,
(3 13)489-3722
9
*s
bptar P a r e n t s ,
T h e r e h a s b e e n v e r y much v r i t s e n r e g a r d i n g t h e e f f e c t t h e l o s s of t h e
school miilage w d i l have on t h e Farmington S c h o o l s .
I t is i m p o r t a n t
- i t a t y o u c o n s i d e r c a r e f u l l y b e f o r e making y o u r d e c i s i o n .
.' - ! s important that
--_
-A_---^
A
-
YOU
A
e-
oc a<\o
FAX:(313) 489-3728
:!. <.PC+
PA's
a r e a w a r e how y o u r c h i l d r e n a t L a r k s h i r e w i l l
*t.><:.
CI:~:; nlncle sC a 1 1 s c h o o l s , s u c h a s s t a f f and t e c h n o l o g y b u d g e t s w i l l ,
c o i ~ r s e ,e f f e c t L a r k s h i r e .
However, we w i l l a l s o l o s e o u r t r a n s i t i o n
an e f f e c t i v e p l a c e f o r s t u d e n t s who a r e n o t r e a d y t o p r o c e e d i n t o
~ r s ig r a d e . We w i l l l o s e o u r f o u r t h g r a d e o u t d o o r e d u c a t i o n , a v e r y
; p x " f l l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t y t h a t p r o v i d e s two n i -~ h t sa n d t h r e e d a v s o f
c o n c e n t r a t e d s c i e n c e l e a r n i n g . Our f i f t h g r a d e f i e l d t r i p t o P o i n t
P e l e e c u l m i n a t i n g t h e c h i l d r e n ' s u n i t on Canada and m i g r a t i o n w i l l a l s o
be e l i m i n a t e d .
We w i l l a l s o f i n d i t more a n d more d i f f i c u l t t o p r o v i d e
c l a s s r o o m s p a s f o r o u r s t u d e n t s . The bond i s s u e , w h i c h i s c o n n e c t e d
ks t h e m i l l a g e w i l l p r o v i d e f u n d s f o r more c l a s s r o o m s a t L a r k s h i r e .
;af
roam,
-- .
P l e s s e c o n s i d e r t h e f a c t s c a r e f u l l y . Programs, t e n c l ~ e r s , and c o n s t r u c Ln h i l l Se e l i m i n a t e d i f t h e m i l l a g e f a i l s .
Is t h i s y o u r c h o i c e f o r
yoirr c h i l d r e n ?
BROCHURE 1 1
I/
Election Update
1
Informational Meeting on Millage Election
An informational meeting has been scheduled for all interested citizens
and staff.
Monday, January 28, 1991
7:30 p.m.
Harrison High School Auditorium
I
CHIPS - -Child Care for Involved Parents"
Chlld care will be provided at Harrison for elementary age children.
%e:
Cost:
Registration:
CHIPS
Registration
Deadline:
7: 15 p.m. - unW: meeting ends
$3 - one chlld
$2 - each additional child in family
Call Fannlngton Community School to register
(489-3333)
4:00 p.m. day of meeting
.::r
3r.?
$he two proposals?
,y Ss kr-~psitborakP mnCkragun8 on
.epm.tgciin,I?
Proposition I
2.7 opcraling mill incmase. Approval of Pmpsirion I wiil a!!ow us
to continue all di~mscwicas to ~tudcnts.
Propsition I9
1.0 operating mill Incma-. Appmvai of Propsl~iost'Jl ~4li&;ow
us to add to. nnovate and repair many of thc district's buildings as
9cmmmcndcd in d~ Facility study iep?S oikpicmLer i-?'%..
Proposition II cars ~s only if FYapsriicn i ~ W S .
hrs ihc most sirnplr tcms. it d m not make seris-,to
i.,
i
i
: lo, renovale or
rcpair schools wjren scrvices to students have to bc cu,.
.
In J w c sf 1937
Slate IcgEslaturc <ala-pr;:u t i ~ i i : ' i ~ ;
for out-of-formula districts. This suiprisl: move m c m a loss of s.ii
million dollars to Farmington (largest amount ol rcvrtluc lost sratcwidc~
snti irnpacrcd a h u z 55 O ~ d i ~Tt r i ~ t!(Il i Xt;chig:1z. I: CCPCSC, 2'- J: * "";
planned ahead and has rnainlaincd n ten prrer,t 1'oi;ci cquity, -*; i- . ,
able to bc relalive!) u n a f i c c ~ dSo; i 9339 I . The h n d cquit y Lr'r. i=rr
dcpicied and in order ti, dear wib-9 iirlic: Euil:r:c;n I:# I zr r!y;;3ta.t: i Y;:
we will cittlcr have to gcneratc additional operating !nillagr3 or cis:
apprnximatcly 5.8 million dollars in prr)grar;.s aati :+::~~iqccz Inn?' :i.
hudgct for i99l 92.
,
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i a n tile State take more of our
m;:ney?
:.:, .k'z~
Z;taie cwme and
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take m r e
-.- , ?-CZ&UXwe vole lo increase
r:j!Zap: rate?
77rc State cannot take local vorcd miitage. I!owcvct, Farminglon
rcrxivcs a total of $10million in starc aid (categorical funding), At !his
p i n t . lhc Sratc is "recapturing" (not paying us) $5.8 rniiiion of thsa
slate-aid money. l r is lmssiblc for them ta wirhhoi:i i!i?: ini;l; ari;t,i;,r-f
i
c . r w CUPP-ent
operating
X Z E ~ ?I ~ G docs
W that com.r, siher Oakluncl County
I*,
. i',?
;;B
~
~10 ilevye o u r entire
.. -1 f.::;,age?
.- '.Y
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If the State changes hic fcmula and takes marc n t n u r piniley. i! will
happen whclhcr or rwt we incrra%cour !~lr!l?ge. f:ne drrinn wiii 23::p
in.surc the O C ~ Iaciiu1i.
C~
iligh quality cducaiion - the slacdaril
%rnc to cnrzc:.
% '
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FTr;nnln3ronrrsidmnw E+
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Our cuircnt rnillagc r;itc is
32.05 opcriiiir~gr~lilfs
.HO dcbt levy
In 1989-80F a m i n g o n was 2i3tr1 otir rst ,: . d;,;?iz'r; .r j~'-ii';.,< ....:.~p;~.
rate Icvicd.
The 1990-9 I figum arc riot yet available h : n Oakland ? x h f s 3112?rncdiarc ScImu91 XXstnci.
No. Farmington taxpayers have voted tc: approve 37..ZS cpPPnling
r,~jl:s.
We arc unable to :cvy OUT {u'u!!aufio5zc~in~iiingi;*;;+,iusc of G?c iimitations of 11-tcIiciidicc ArncndmcnE.
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for s f leadlee over-
A IIcadice irvcmdc wsrsrri gi.9~ t k ::ii.lrici
~
pvrr 5 mi!!^ 1;:)~opcm!i~rg
cxpnqcs. This j: m@rycl~i~::y
!.jia:;
. ~ : : ~ ; :;t=ci.i~
~ ~ r ar !!I!? I:!>:<.
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80. What projects were identified by
the facilities report?
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11. Why are so many facility improvem n t s needed?
E
Elementary classrooms (Gill and Larkshire)
Middle school classrooms (number of classrooms conlingent on bound
ary-line decision)
High school classrooms (and related space)
Renovations to Alameda, Fairview. ITC, Farmington
Community School. Ten Mile. Flanders and Eagle
Completion of renovations initiated at Wooddale. Kenbrook, Highmeadow, Longacre, Wm. Grace, O.E. Dunckel and Farmington High
The average age of our present facilities is 32 years old. In addition to
the average age of the buildings. there have been curriculum changes that
have taken place over these years that required building alterations.
Enrollment increases have and will require additional classroom space.
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1 14. Why i s our budget $92 million1
1
what does it contain?
13. What is Fund Equity?
!
$92 million is a deceiving amount. Items that are contained in our budget
includc:
$92,053,930 General Operating Budget (1 990-9 1)
- 7,078,008 Capital Budget
- 1,358,875 Food Service Budget (self-supporting)
- 8,895,622 Special Education Center Program Budget (County
reimbursed)
- 482,214 Boys Republic Budget (State reimbursed)
- 533,072 Community Education & Preschool (Tuition based and
self-supporting)
- 122,310 Adult Education (State funding)
9 3 5 a Federal Grants and RcimburscmenLs
$72,618,093 BUDGET EXCLUDING CAPITAL PROJECTS AND
REIMBURSED PROGRAMS
Fund Equity is a "savings account" for emergencies. Several years ago
h e Board of Education set a goal of a<lO% fund equity and worked to
save that amount of money to prepare i'or State financial form.
Because we had a Fund Equity when state funding changed in late June
1990, wc have been able to continue programs this year (1990-91)
wilhout cuts even though we lost $5.8 million. That Fund Equity will be
depleted this year - the money is being used to maintain programs.
The concept of Fund Equity sometimes becomes distorted and confusing.
Our year-end financial slatement contains 2 kinds of Fund Equity:
Money set aside to pay for
DESIGNATED FUND EQUITYthings already purchased we're just waiting for the bills.
UNDESIGNATED FUND EQUITY- "Savings account" for emergencies.
As of June 30, 19XI (Year-end financial repon lolal F.E. $14.9 million)
$ 8,427.863 (committed money,
DESIGNATED FUND EQUITY
i.e., open purchase orders.
building repairs and improvements in progress, etc.)
UNDESIGNATED FUND EQUITY $6,469,310 (most of this will be
used during 1990-91 to compensate for money lost in state aid
cuts.)
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14. What costs have risen drarnatia l l y and impacted the budget?
' Yw'1131 has the dislrict done to
lighten its belt before asking
v: RCr5 for more nloncy?
$ 6 . What
will laappcn if flle nrillagc
sl:9c.sn't p m ?
Insurance costs have skyrocketed. Th:s is a problem nationwide,
not just for Farmington Schools. Each year over the last 5 years we
have experienced increases. (One year was close to a 30%increase.)
In 1989-90 insurance benefit costs for all employees totalled
$8,883,378.
Capital expenditures - When the bond issue was defeated in
September 1988, the district began to use a designated yearly amount
of opcrating money for much needed building repairs and renovatiom
(ceilings, asbesros rernoval, windows, lighting, floors. m l ' s , etc.)
Two additional e l e m n l a r y x h o ~ l -s Highmeadow and Hillside.
The operating costs required to run these two elementary schools
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increased the budget. Cost.; (r:ciuaing esarter s a l ~ a tnclude
administration, secmtarid, ha!, lighr, rn~ititenance,media, cafeteria.
teaching supplies, student supplies, !nnsp~nari.fi, e E .
Technology - The Technology Advisory Cornrriirtce (TAC) has
developed and begun to implemerlt a plan to bring appropriate
handware ard .wftwsre u! !ear-hers 2 . d "',!"PC!"
The district has already cut OVER $! ~ i i i i o nfrom tk operating budget
in an attempt to be fiscally resyx>nsibl(.while maintaining a quality
program.
Positions already not filled: ($561,157)
Deputy Supennrcndenr
Psycimlogist -- .5 position
Staff dcvelopmcnt --.5 position
Adminislrative assistant - h i ~ srhoo:
h
Secretary --gifld office
Special education teacher
Elementary counwlorr
Administrative intern
Media -cialist - early childhood
Additional ~ u c t i o n for
s 1991-92: ($639,610)
Professional staff (5 non-classroom positions)
Support aaff (3 positions)
F d service reduction
Transpnation streamlining
The district has also:
Frozen all capital expenditures including iristluctional teclx~ology
Reduced the number of sub used for illness except for c l a s s m m s or
dircct student support services
If Proposition I & x s not p a s , we will wc many changes:
1 n c ~ a . win class size (minimurn 35 cliissnx)rn tcaci~crselimia?a~cxl)
1ncnca.w: in student-colmnxlor ratio
Many programs will kc reduced or eliminated:
Secordary elective classes - n u m b . . of of-ferings dccreasd
Elementary art, in~trumentaland vu!:al muqic
Physical education offerings
l a w enrollment advanced placenicnt cia~scs
Bait classcs
Instruc~ionalsupplies and texthroks
Bilingual education x r ~ i c e s
Transflation
AhVelics
Staff training
Administrative services
Secretarial services
Gifted services
Mainknance and custodial scrviccs
Science consultant pmgram and outdoor education programs
Teachcr on TV classes (German, Latin)
Instructional technology
Field nips
Extra-cunicular programs (drama. musicals, debate. secondary
inumurals. etc.)
Middle school reading specialists
Paraprofessionals:(K-l learning waers, mn-rnaa7da~dspecial
education programs)
Scheduled building improvemen&and equipment repiacement
...Over 100 staff positicns will have to be eliminated.
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/ 37, W ~ a will
t happen if the millage
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p%sses?
What is the status ofthe lawsllit
brought hy Out of Formula distalsls against the State of Michigan?
Programs and services will continue to be offered at the current level.
In an effort to be fiscally responsible. the district will implement over $1
million in reductions that will not directly affect the classrooms regardless of the election outcome.
This action may take several years to resolve. At this time we are not
hopeful of the outcome. The money that we have lost and will continue to lore will most likely be irretrievable.
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$9. HHave any other school districts in
ellar area held elections to compensate for the loss of revenue?
Yes. Southfield Public Schools, Northville Public Schools and Taylor
Public Schools held successful eldons to increase operating millage
Wamn Consolidated was unsuccessful in its attempt to increase operating millage.
PO. What happens if the State gives
It is highly unlikely that this would happen givcn the information we
havc received from the State. In the unlikely event lhat this were to
happen, it would be the Board of Education's prerogative to levy less
than the available millage. This reduc;ion in levied millage has h a p
pened many times in the past in this community. The Board of Education has an excellent track record of bcing prudent and fiscally respnsiblc with taxpayers' dollars.
us back the recaptured money?
Eli. What is the district's track record
ebb levying voted millage?
Farmingfon Public Schools -Taxes
Year
operating
Debt
1980-81
33.53
2.75
33.25
2.00
1981-82
1.90
1982-83
31.80
1.90
1983-84
31.80
33.00
1.70
1984-85
32.50
I .50
1985-86
32.50
1.30
1986-87
31.75
1.20
1987-88
30.65
1.20
1988-89
32.39
0.90
1989-90
32.05
0.80
1990-91
Total
36.28
35.25
33.70
33.70
34.70
34.00
33.80
32.95
31.85
33.29
32.85
* earbi.~~g2-.i2
i W X b ~ 1 g ~ i ' i ~ a i i.;Li S
; UA.1 iG A i j G 4 , ? 9 l C ~ % L L L11ili -*c)Y.
With ihe loss oh a bcnd eiection m 1988, hie district began levying ~ t s
full a;u:horized a m o u r in o d e r m address bui:aiisg renovatic>ia
and other capital projects.
* In 1989-KI we wcn: able to LONER the dcb. rnillngc wtli1e bu1id:ng 3
new clcmcntary school. The approval of dl:: bond dctu:ilijt rcs1il;ed In a
lowcrcd lax rate.
I t '9;;"XlsS
is a mill?
Rate of taxation. On@mill is % i .W per 9 1,000.00; or 1/11XXl of a dollai.
rand is generally written as .(#)I
:is, znes hhe p s ~ & e "d ~
l? b
Y E ~ ~ c
lr:rearix m a n lo the average
home owner?
)
Psopo&&ionI
$67.[,0per eg.
$$ per year
Cents Per day
18 Cents por day
Proposition 11 (
$I?, pc::.
.~?C?-
Cenh per day
1
$25 per yeor
7 Cents per dlly
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37 C m t s per 6-tr
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$50 per year
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$135 per
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14 Cents per day
K-oposi tion
I and IT
$92.50 per year
8185 per year
$$ per year
Gents per day
25 Cents per day
51 Cents per day
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%&'di I feel the full impact of the
:....rc3z?
* r.
Arrb
%;
I:'-
-
-*.
1 -
percentage of OUP tax base
>ica8? a~mrnercial?"
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s*;I~~se
does I h t lottery money go?
-
$:la :::Illage
fails, will i t tx placed
-rn lire haslot again?
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* S.E.V. -- State Equalized Valuation
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The impact of thc p m p s c d tax increase :nay hc rcduccd by a taxpayer's
ability w claim property lax on their Fuieni Income ?'ax I!srnii.cd
Deduction form and a Michigan Ifonestead Property Tax Z I C ~ c)n
I : fixm
MI IPAO CR.
C u r m a y 62% of Farmington's lax base is r c s r d c ~ i d 38%
;
2s (.,I::
mercial and industrid. Because of rhe rtigh pemrstagl: of ccqr.ra ,-*r &.
and industrial pmperty, Farmington has been able to maint,l*i~
i. n ratively low operaring millage rate while benefiting from die tax revenge
of thc busir~ssesin our community.
Michigan laxpayen wen: the victims of a "sl~ellgame" wlicii ille hica of
a slalc lolkry wa.5 Tsrsr propscd. 71ie Sralc docs give lollcry rcvcnuc In
our schtx)ls, however, at the same tinic, [Icy rcrl~lccan i l m ( ; ~ nh! ) r n
Slarc Aid Tor ScI~(mls We all lose i r r~ l l i s lllllc garric
It is doublful. The wrnrnuniiy is k i n g givcn an opmrtirnit?
tcj vaatle
is opinion on Ole school pmgram and f~cilities Ttlc d~stricthas a
history of rcspccting the opinion of d t communiig .
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23-Why should 1 support the millage,
1 don't have any kids in school?
1 29.
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Would the Oos of revenue have
any effect on private schools?
BropcrIy vaIues are affected by the quaIity of h e community's school
system. People move to Fmington and maintain the value of area homes
bccause of the quality school system.
Yes -private s c h l sndents may have to be transported h r n the public
school in their attendance area, aathea than Lheir existing bus stop.
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1 31). 1 don9$register to vote beause I do
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%atwant to be called for jury duty.
People a n called for jury duty from driver license and State ID card lists.
not from voter regismtion lists.
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11 31. Raw do
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1 pel and use an absenfee
bziloll
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j 32. ?$ill there be an opportunity for
[rments end citizens Lo get more
Ini'ormtion or ask questions?
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33. How do I gel involved?
Absentee ballots are available in person or by mail (include signature,
address and birth dale on request) at h e Schulman Administrative Center.
32500 Shiawassee. Voters may q u e s t an absentee Mlot if they are: (1)
out of town srr February 5; (2) incarcerated awaiting &idor mdpmewl;
(3) 60 years of age or older, (4) physically unable to attend the p u s .
Absentee ballots are available Monday thPGugh Friday, January 16 February 4,7:30 am. - 4:30 p.m. The office will also be open from 10:W
a.m .-2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 2, to accept absentee ballots.
Yes. an informational meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 28.
7:30 p.m., at Harrison High School.
Also, interested citizens can ask questions and get information by calling:
Farmington Public Schools. SchooVCommunity Relations - 489-3349
Farmington MEA Office - 553-7125 or Union Presidents
A group of p m t s and citizens called 'Triends of Farmington Schools" is
suppodng this effort. They welcome donations and volunteers. Call
Carol Luckscheiter, 478-6158, Bobbi Feldman, 553-6152, or Jayne
Wochomurka, 478-3 1 13, for more information.