Saginaw County v. Buena Vista School District

In 1991, defendant raised its property tax rate from 9.05 mills to 10.05 mills without approval of a majority of the qualified electors in the district. Plaintiff filed this action in the circuit court, claiming that defendant’s action violated Const 1963, art 9, § 31. The trial court found that defendant had not violated the constitution. Plaintiff appeals as of right. We affirm.

Michigan voters approved the Headlee Amendment, Const 1963, art 9, §§ 25-34, in 1978. It does not require all tax increases to be approved by voters. Instead, it provides in part:

Units of Local Government are hereby…