Copyright M Live Michigan
Voters in the Rockford Public Schools district soundly rejected a $230 million bond proposal, while voters passed large proposals in Byron Center and Zeeland school districts. Here is a look at significant issues addressed by voters in the Tuesday, Nov. 4, election: Rockford Public Schools asked voters for a $230 million bond proposal that would have funded construction of the “Ram Center,” a new indoor turf fieldhouse for student-athletes as well as community recreation. It also would have covered improvements to 14 school buildings and sites and provided air-conditioning to buildings without it. The proposal included installation of electronic locks on classroom doors. The proposal failed with 4,301 yes votes (40.89 percent) to 6,217 no votes (59.11 percent). The district, with 7,509 students this school year, said the bond would have had an estimated zero millage increase over the 2025 debt millage. But an opposition group, Transparency for RPS Taxpayers, said the district has “layered on new bonds repeatedly” since 2016. A $186 million bond proposal for Zeeland Public Schools passed 3,465 (52.52 percent) to 3,132 (47.48 percent). It includes district-wide upgrades to 15 buildings through 2035 and construction of an athletic facility near both high schools. Voters in the Byron Center Public Schools district approved a $110 million bond proposal for renovations and upgrades, as well as a new athletic stadium and four new baseball and softball fields. The proposal passed by a vote of 3,654 (56.75 percent) to 2,844 (43.25 percent). Holland Mayor Nathan Bocks was re-elected to a fourth two-year term. He defeated Holland business owner Brian Everitt by a vote of 4,620 (73.04 percent) to 1,705 (26.96). Bocks, an attorney and Hope College graduate, has extensive service on community boards and commissions and has been a Tulip Time tour guide since 1994. Byron Township voters approved a 2-percent tax on hotels in the township. The excise tax is expected to raise about $200,000 in the first year to fund repair, maintenance and expansion of the Byron Township Community Center. The tax applies to businesses that provide lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive days but it does not apply to short-term rentals such as Airbnbs. It passed, with 4,103 (64.73 percent) yes votes, to 2,236 (35.27 percent) no votes. In Lowell Charter Township, voters approved a three-year millage to fight invasive spongy moths, previously known as gypsy moths. The measure, which levies 0.50 mills, was approved 553 (61.44 percent) to 347 (38.56 percent). The invasive moths, in caterpillar stage, can cause significant tree damage, and threaten the township’s tree canopy, officials said. See full election results for Kent County and Ottawa County. Election results, provided by county clerks in Kent and Ottawa counties, are unofficial until certified by each county’s board of canvassers.
