Voters in the Jackson Public Schools (JPS) District will decide a recreation millage in the Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 election. The millage is used to provide free and reduced cost recreation programs for children under 18 years old and adults over 50 years old in the JPS district, which includes the City of Jackson and sections of Summit, Blackman, Liberty and Napoleon townships.
The millage funds youth programs such as soccer, basketball, football, cheerleading, and special events like the Daddy Daughter Dance. It powers senior programs like luncheons, exercise classes, and pickleball. The funding also employs high school and college-age students who staff recreation programs. The district collects millage funds and turns them over to the City’s Parks and Recreation Department for programming. Voters have passed the millage every 10 years since 1960. The last time the millage was approved was in 2014 at .50 mills. In 2024, the City and JPS are asking for an increase to .75 mills. Officials say the reason for the increase is to meet rising supply costs and pay staff a fair wage.
Millage charges are based on property value, which means .75 mills on a $100,000 home would be $75 per year to support recreation programs. Comparing that to the current cost of $50 per year on a $100,000 home, there’s a projected $25 annual increase if approved.
“This millage is the result of community partnerships that give kids and seniors access to affordable recreation programs not only in the City, but in the entire school district,” said Parks and Recreation Director Kelli Hoover.
The millage will appear on ballots as a Jackson Public Schools recreation millage proposal. Official ballot language for the millage is available online.
More information
Learn more about voting in this election by visiting the Elections section of the City website.
