By Maria Allard
C & G Staff Writer

EASTPOINTE/WARREN — The majority of the East Detroit Public Schools residents voted yes on a millage proposal in the general election May 6.

According to the unofficial results from the Macomb County Clerk’s Office, 1,619 residents (65.6 percent of those voting) said yes to the millage, with 848 taxpayers (34.4 percent) reportedly voting it down.

The proposal is an operating millage renewal that permits the district to collect 18 mills of state equalized value on all non-homestead property, which includes commercial property such as businesses, second homes, rental properties and vacant land. It’s any property that is not the citizen's primary residence. The millage does not tax EDPS residents.

Under the millage, a business owner is taxed $18 on every $1,000 on the value of the property.

The millage will provide approximately $4.5 million in revenues to East Detroit schools during the 2009 calendar year to be levied and used for general operating purposes.

The taxpayers first voted on the operating millage 10 years ago; it expires June 30, 2009. The renewal is for 10 years, beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2019.

The operating millage renewal does not tax residents unless they have a second residence or own a business within the East Detroit Public Schools school boundary. The proposal was an existing tax, not a new one.

EDPS and Roseville Community Schools did not hold school board elections at this time.

You can reach Staff Writer Maria Allard at allard@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1045.