Jackson College loses ballot measure for the 17th time

For the 17th time in a row, Michigan’s Jackson College failed Tuesday to win voter approval to restore its millage from 1.13 mills to the original authorized rate of 1.33 mills, MLive.com reported.

Millage is the rate used to calculate property taxes based on the assessed value of the property, as measured in mills, or one-tenth of 1 percent.

The proposed ballot measure was defeated in the Nov. 5 general election by roughly 7,000 votes.

The last time a 1.33-mill rate was approved for the college was back in 1964. It was subsequently rolled back by an amendment to Michigan’s constitution that says tax increases can’t exceed the rate of inflation. Since then, efforts to restore Jackson’s mill rate have failed each of the 16 times they were brought before voters.

Officials said they hoped to use the additional revenue raised to expand job training, job placement and trade education programs.

“Jackson College will continue to serve our communities with regard to job training, career and trades programming, and student internships, though doing so will be at a reduced pace and will not be as extensive as we had hoped had the millage restoration request passed,” President Daniel Phelan wrote in an email to MLive. “While disappointing, I respect the outcome of the vote.”