Millage-increase request

A dozen people attended a public forum Wednesday in Mendon to hear more about the school district’s millage-increase request.

Superintendent Rob Kuhlman and Michael Galovan, project manager from engineer/architect firm TowerPinkster, went over a detailed explanation of what’s at stake in the $9.3 million request.

They said nearly three-quarters of the request will go toward building renovations and technology upgrades. In addition seven new buses would be purchased over the course of a seven-year period starting this year.

Nobody from the public posed a question during the 45-minute gathering.

If approved, the millage would allow the district to sell bonds in three phases through 2021.

Kuhlman said $5.9 million overall in building upgrades at Mendon Elementary and Mendon Middle/High School, and more than $900,000 toward a comprehensive upgrade of its technology infrastructure are critical components to the request.

A 1-mill increase would cost the owner of a house with a market value of $100,000 about $50 more in taxes annually.

Additional forums will be Jan. 22, Feb. 5 and Feb. 19. All sessions will begin at 7 p.m. at the elementary school.