Charter Township of Harrison — A Proposal to Levy a New Millage to Support Grants (Macomb County)

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Harrison Township voters

What it does
Shall the Charter Township of Harrison, Macomb County, Michigan levy an additional ad valorem millage of not more than 0.3000 mills for 4 years, from 2027 through 2030 for the purpose of providing revenue to help procure and provide matching funds for grants from federal, state, or county agencies, as well as private foundations? This new additional millage will result in a collection of an estimated $394,207 of revenue in the first year the millage is levied.
A YES vote means
Harrison Township would levy a new tax of up to 0.3000 mills for 4 years, 2027 through 2030, to help get and provide matching funds for government and foundation grants, raising about $394,207 the first year.
A NO vote means
Harrison Township would not levy this new grants millage.
What it would cost
0.3 mills (estimated) for 4 years: $30 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value (a mill is $1 per $1,000). Taxable value is after exemptions such as homestead; your tax bill or property appraiser shows yours.
Needed to pass
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean
Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Today

  • Harrison Township is the only municipality in Macomb County that does not levy a general fund millage, Supervisor Kenneth Verkest said in his September 2025 State of the Township address, so it sometimes has limited money to put up the local match many grants require.
  • Recent projects in the township, such as Miller Park updates, have been funded with grants, according to the supervisor.

If it passes

  • The township could levy a new property tax of up to 0.3 mills for four years, 2027 through 2030.
  • The money would be used to obtain and provide matching funds for grants from federal, state or county agencies and private foundations.
  • The ballot estimates it would raise $394,207 in the first year.

Example

A mill is $1 per $1,000 of taxable value, so 0.3 mills is 30 cents per $1,000. A property with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay up to $30 a year. (source)

Who would notice

Owners of taxable property in the Charter Township of Harrison, and residents who use projects the township funds with grants.

How it got here

The Township Board placed the proposal on the November 3, 2026 ballot. In 2025 Supervisor Verkest said he planned to propose a grant-funding millage (then described as half a mill) that could be spent only to match grants from other government agencies.

In the news

Written by SpectrumVote from 2 linked sources (1, 2). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

The proposal was put on the ballot by the Harrison Township Board of Trustees; according to the township, the money would be restricted to applying for grants and providing required local matching funds for federal, state, county and private foundation grants.

The township states that over the past 10 years it contributed approximately $3.4 million in grant matching funds, which resulted in over $17 million in grants, and that it estimates the cost at about $45 per year for a home with a $150,000 taxable value.

The township cites reductions in state revenue sharing as its reason for seeking the millage, stating it received $677,516 in statutory revenue sharing in 2001, zero by 2011, and $148,264 in 2026.

According to the township, Harrison Township is the only municipality in Macomb County that does not collect a general fund millage; this levy would last four years, 2027 through 2030.

Put on the ballot by Harrison Charter Township Board of Trustees (date and vote not found).

From official source.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Charter Township of Harrison mean?
Harrison Township would levy a new tax of up to 0.3000 mills for 4 years, 2027 through 2030, to help get and provide matching funds for government and foundation grants, raising about $394,207 the first year.
What does a NO vote on Charter Township of Harrison mean?
Harrison Township would not levy this new grants millage.
Can the money be used for anything else?
The ballot says the purpose is to help procure and provide matching funds for grants from federal, state or county agencies and private foundations.
How long would it last?
Four years, levied 2027 through 2030.
Is this a renewal?
No. The ballot calls it a new additional millage.
How many votes does Charter Township of Harrison need to pass?
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Charter Township of Harrison?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?
The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Macomb County ballot.

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