Genesee County Board of Commissioners
Dale K. Weighill, Chair
324 S. Saginaw St.
Flint, MI 48502
Dear Chairman Weighill,
In Genesee County, we are fortunate to have world-class museums, music programs, performing arts venues and a planetarium, as well as world-class art, artifacts, exhibitions and experiences that are not available anywhere else.
The Sloan Museum of Discovery, Longway Planetarium, Flint Institute of Arts, Whiting Auditorium, Flint Institute of Music, Capitol Thater, Greater Flint Arts Council, Floyd J. McCree Theatre, and Berston Field House provide access to unique experiences and learning opportunities beyond the classroom for Genesee County students along with healthy recreational opportunities for youth across the county.
Arts and cultural organizations employ people locally, purchase supplies and services from nearby businesses, and pump money into local small businesses while attracting visitors to our county. A recent study found that economic activity generated by arts and cultural organizations in Genesee County annually supports more than 2,000 jobs, provides more than $63 million in personal income to residents, and generates nearly $20 million in tax revenue to local, state and federal governments.
First passed in 2018, the Genesee County Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment Millage have provided a stable, reliable source of funding for these treasured institutions and supported one-of-a-kind educational opportunities for Genesee County students and residents including on-campus experiences, field trips and educational programs that travel to our communities.
The millage also provides funding for the Greater Flint Arts Council to support grants for local arts education and cultural enrichment programs countywide.
We are proud of our track record of improving the quality of life for Genesee County residents, and we are proud of our track record of fiscal responsibility. Every dollar spent from this millage is posted publicly online to promote accountability and transparency for taxpayers.
Renewing this millage will allow us to continue supporting free general admission for Genesee County residents to the Sloan museum and FIA, 50% off Longway Planetarium admission, and discounts for performances, programs, admissions and special events at other Flint cultural institutions.
As directors of these treasured institutions, we believe renewing this millage will allow us to continue providing arts and cultural education, support our local economy and help attract new residents and businesses to Genesee County.
We respectfully request that this renewal millage be placed on the ballot in August of 2026 and thank the county for our continued partnership and success.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Mark Sinila, Chief Executive Officer, Flint Cultural Center Corporation
Rodney Lontine, President and Chief Executive Officer, Flint Institute of Music
Tracee Glab, Executive Director, Flint Institute of Arts
James Avery, Executive Director, Berston Field House
Greg Fiedler, President and CEO, Greater Flint Arts Council
Charles Winfrey, Executive Director, Floyd J. McCree Theatre
Todd Slisher, CEO and Executive Director, Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium
to the honorable chairperson and members of the genesee county board of commissioners, genesee county, michigan
ladies and gentlemen:
WHEREAS, the Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage supports one-of-a-kind educational opportunities for Genesee County kids and students; and
WHEREAS, the millage ensures that all Genesee County students, regardless of their zip code, age, or background, can access rich learning opportunities and experiences beyond the classroom; and
WHEREAS, institutions supported by the millage offer on-campus experiences and field trips for students of all ages, families, adults, and seniors, as well as educational programs that travel to local communities across the county; and
WHEREAS, Genesee County is fortunate to have a diverse set of cultural institutions, including world-class museums, music programs, performing arts venues, and a planetarium, all available for public use and that support our local economy; and
WHEREAS, Genesee County’s cultural institutions house world-class art, artifacts, exhibitions, and experiences not available anywhere else in the world; and
WHEREAS, access to art, history, science and recreational opportunities provided by the Sloan Museum of Discovery, Longway Planetarium, Flint Institute of Arts, Whiting Auditorium, Flint Institute of Music, Capitol Thater, Greater Flint Arts Council, Floyd J. McCree Theatre, and Berston Field House improves Genesee County residents’ quality of life, creates jobs, and pumps money into our local economy; and
WHEREAS, the Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage is affordable, transparent, and accountable; and
WHEREAS, funds generated by the millage support jobs and investment in Genesee County and are subject to annual independent audits to promote transparency and fiscal responsibility; and
WHEREAS, the millage supports free general admission for Genesee County residents to the Sloan Museum of Discovery and the Flint Institute of Arts, 50% off Longway Planetarium admission, and discounts for performances, programs, admissions, and special events at other Flint cultural institutions; and
WHEREAS, the millage provides funding for the Greater Flint Arts Council to support grants for arts education and cultural enrichment programs; and
WHEREAS, a recent study found that the Flint Cultural Center and other organizations and institutions that receive millage funds annually generate nearly $130 million in economic activity for the region; and
WHEREAS, a recent study found that economic activity generated by these arts and cultural organizations annually supports more than 2,000 jobs, provides more than $63 million in personal income to residents, and generates nearly $20 million in tax revenue to local, state, and federal governments; and
WHEREAS, arts and cultural organizations employ people locally, purchase supplies and services from nearby businesses, and pump money into local small businesses while attracting visitors to our county; and
WHEREAS, arts and cultural events drive commerce to restaurants, stores, and other local businesses; and
WHEREAS, having a thriving cultural scene is something companies look for when relocating to new areas and helps attract new companies, talent, and tourists to Genesee County; and
WHEREAS, on August 7, 2018, the residents of Genesee County voted in favor of the Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage at a rate of 0.96 mill; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Headlee Amendment, the millage rate has been rolled back each year, and is currently at a rate of 0.9312 mill for fiscal year 2025-2026; and
WHEREAS, the millage must be renewed at the current 0.9312 mill, or the then-current rolled back rate as of the date of the first levy following renewal, on all real and personal property within the County to continue supporting educational and cultural enrichment programs for students, residents, and visitors; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the following millage renewal question shall be submitted to a vote of the electorate of Genesee County on August 4, 2026, in a special election to be held in conjunction with the regular primary election scheduled for that date:
GENESEE COUNTY ARTS EDUCATION & CULTURAL ENRICHMENT MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL
Shall there be a renewal of the previously approved authorization of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners to levy a property tax:
• to be used to provide annual dedicated funding through Genesee County for the continuing support of arts education and cultural enrichment programs for students, residents, and visitors of Genesee County at cultural center institutions, including the Sloan Museum, the Longway Planetarium, The Whiting Auditorium, the Flint Institute of Arts, the Flint School of Performing Arts, the Flint Symphony Orchestra, the Flint Youth Theatre, The Flint Institute of Music, and the Capitol Theatre, and at the Floyd J. McCree Theatre & Fine Arts Centre and the Berston Field House, and other organizations, and for related purposes authorized by law;
• to also be used to provide $500,000 annually to the Greater Flint Arts Council for grants to support arts education and cultural enrichment programs at other nonprofit and governmental arts and cultural institutions in Genesee County;
• at a rolled-back rate of 0.9312 mill ($0.9312 for each $1,000.00 of taxable value), less any reduction required under Michigan Compiled Laws section 211.34d;
• for 10 years beginning in 2028 and ending in 2037; and
• that may not be increased, renewed, or used for other purposes without voter approval.
This is a renewal of the Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage. If this renewal millage is approved and levied, revenue will be disbursed to Genesee County for appropriation by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners. It is estimated that $12,596,953 will be collected in the first year.
Shall a renewal of this millage be approved?
YES
NO
In Genesee County, there are local authorities that capture and use for authorized purposes tax increment revenues from property taxes levied by the County. Such captured revenue would include a portion of the proposed millage levy. The total amount of captured tax increment revenues from the proposed millage levy in the first calendar year of the levy is estimated to be $433,908. The following such local authorities presently are expected to capture and receive disbursement of a portion of the County’s property tax levy:
City of Clio Corridor Improvement Authority (“CIA”), Downtown Development Authority (“DDA”), and Neighborhood Improvement Authority (“NIA”); City of Davison DDA and Local Development Finance Authority (“LFDA”); City of Fenton DDA and LFDA; City of Grand Blanc DDA; City of Linden DDA; City of Montrose DDA; City of Swartz Creek DDA; Genesee County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Land Bank Authority; Davison Township DDA; Flint Township DDA, Beecher Road CIA, and Bristol Road CIA; Grand Blanc Township DDA; Mt. Morris Township Business Development Authority (“BDA”); Mundy Township Hill Road CIA; Vienna Township BDA; Village of Lennon DDA; Village of Otisville DDA; and Village of Otter Lake DDA.
Other such local authorities could be created in the future.
BE it further resolved, that the preceding question is hereby certified to the County Clerk/Register and, through the County Clerk/Register, to the Board of Election Commissioners of Genesee County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a special election is called for August 4, 2026, throughout Genesee County, for the purpose of submitting the above-stated ballot question to the electorate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that notice of the aforesaid election and of registration therefor shall be given, the ballots therefor shall be prepared, the election shall be conducted, and the results thereof shall be canvassed and certified, all as required by law, by the County Clerk/Register, the Board of Election Commissioners, the Board of County Canvassers, and other election officials.