Copyright M Live Michigan
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI -- Voters have spoken on the fate of six proposals in Kalamazoo County. They were split at the polls, passing three of the proposals and voting down the other three. MORE: Live election results for Kalamazoo-area races, proposals, Nov. 4, 2025 Here’s where each proposal landed: Metro Central County Transportation Authority: Passes The majority of Kalamazoo County voters said yes to a new millage to help fund the Kalamazoo County Metro transit service. About 67.6% of voters were in favor and 32.4% were against the millage renewal, with 21,820 yes votes and 10,459 no votes. Residents will now be taxed 1.1 mills from 2026 through 2030. The new millage is a slight increase compared to an expiring millage. The new millage will cost a homeowner with a $200,000 home $110 per year in taxes — an increase of $20 annually over what the expiring urban millage requires. The urban millage will continue to fund Metro’s fixed-route bus service, as well as its new on-demand Metro Link service that launched in 2024. The transit service cited inflation and declining state revenue as reasons for the increase request. More: Kalamazoo Metro transit seeks millage increase for 2026-2030 funding Portage Public Schools: Passes Portage Public Schools voters were in favor of a $132.4 million bond to fund construction projects and new buses. About 62.9% of voters were in favor of the bond while 37.1% of voters were against, with 9,136 yes votes and 5,393 no votes. The bond will add to a $175 million bond passed in 2021 to rebuild five elementary schools and renovate a sixth. Thus far, two new elementary schools funded by the bond have opened and a third is under construction. The new bond will fund the replacement of Amberly Elementary School, Angling Road Elementary School and the Portage Community Education Center. The funds would also support the renovation of Moorsbridge Elementary School. The average millage rate required to retire the bond is 1.68 mills, $1.68 per $1,000 of taxable value. Residents with a $200,000 home (with a $100,000 taxable value) will pay $168 per year on average for 30 years. MORE: Portage Public Schools asks voters to fund $132M bond to finish construction projects Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools: Fails The majority of voters in the Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools district voted against a $11.2 million bond to fund a new transportation facility and other district improvements. About 53.4% of voters were against the bond while 46.7% of voters were in favor, equating to 836 votes against and 731 in favor. The average millage rate required to retire the bond would have been 2.03 mills, for up to 17 years. Residents with a $200,000 home (with a $100,000 taxable value) would have paid $203 per year on average for up to 17 years. MORE: $11.2M Galesburg schools bond will fund ‘critical needs’ if passed by voters Parchment School District: Fails Voters in the Parchment School District decided against funding a $32.35 million schools bond for the second time. Voters rejected a costlier bond proposal from the district in May. About 52% of voters voted against the bond proposal while 48% voted in favor with 1,040 no votes and 962 yes votes. The bond would have averaged out to 4.29 mills over 30 years, equivalent to about $429 per year in property taxes on a home worth $200,000 (with a taxable value of $100,000). MORE: Parchment School District seeks $32M bond approval after May rejection Comstock Public Schools: Fails Voters also rejected a $31.8 million bond proposal from Comstock Public Schools to expand an elementary school and fund new roofing and classroom renovations. About 52.3% of voters were against the bond while 47.7% voted in favor, totaling 1,356 no votes and 1,238 yes votes. The bond would have averaged out to 1.59 mills over 30 years. That’s equivalent to about $159 per year in property taxes on a home worth $200,000 (with a taxable value of $100,000). MORE: Comstock schools asking voters for $31.8M bond for elementary expansion, district upgrades Richland Community Library: Passes Richland Township voters agreed to a 0.75-mill in perpetuity tax increase to help modernize and maintain facilities and improve programming and hours. About 61.5% of voters were in favor while 38.5% were against with 1,088 yes votes and 682 no votes. The increase equates to a $75 per year tax increase on a $200,000 home with a $100,000 taxable value. The current library millage, originally authorized at a rate of 1.0 in 1981, was later reduced to 0.79. The proposed levy would increase the total library millage rate to 1.54.
