DeWitt Public Schools - What could it cost you?

[Shadowninja]

Dearest reader,

Now that Lady B has an actual average residential taxable value to work with, it was time to redo some math. 🪶

Earlier today, readers asked what the average taxable value of a residential property was in the DeWitt area.

Using the 2025 Clinton County Equalization Report, Lady B calculated a combined weighted average of $107,536 for residential properties in DeWitt Charter Township, Watertown Township, and the City of DeWitt.

The small portion of Olive Township served by DeWitt Public Schools was excluded.

So now let's use that number to look at the proposed $157 million bond.

DeWitt is describing the proposal as a "0.00 mill increase."

But there are two different paths voters should understand.

📌 If the new bond passes:

The financing plan is built around an estimated 10-mill debt levy.

📌 If the new bond does not pass:

The existing debt does not magically disappear. But as that debt is paid down, the district's own debt schedule shows fewer mills being needed over time.

That difference becomes increasingly important.

Using the $107,536 starting average taxable value and assuming taxable value increases 3.596% annually, the comparison looks like this:

In 2028, both scenarios are approximately $1,154 in annual school debt tax.

By 2029, the estimated difference is approximately $164 per year.

By 2030: approximately $266.

By 2032: approximately $424.

And by 2035:

With the new bond at 10 mills — approximately $1,478 per year.

Existing debt only at 5.19 mills — approximately $767 per year.

Estimated difference — approximately $711 in that year.

And this is why Lady B keeps coming back to the phrase "0.00 mill increase."

It does not mean there is no financial difference between approving the new bond and continuing to pay the district's existing debt.

It means the proposal is designed to maintain approximately the existing debt-tax rate rather than increase that rate when the new bonds are issued.

Without the new bond, the documents show the millage required for existing debt declining over time.

That is an important distinction.

A few notes before someone throws a calculator at Lady B. 😂

These are estimates, not individual tax bills.

The $107,536 starting figure is the combined average residential taxable value Lady B calculated from 2025 Clinton County records for the three municipalities listed above.

The future taxable values assume a 3.596% annual increase.

And we are discussing the school debt millage only — not your entire property-tax bill.

Your individual cost will depend on your property's taxable value.

Lady B isn't here to tell DeWitt voters how to vote.

But if voters are being asked to authorize $157 million in new debt while hearing "0.00 mill increase," they deserve to see what happens to the existing debt levy without the new bond too.

Now they can compare both.

With receipts and respect. 🪶

Sources:
Clinton County 2025 Equalization Report
Clinton County 2025 Parcel Count Report
Michigan Department of Treasury — DeWitt Public Schools Form 3881 and debt schedules

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