Kent County voters renew zoo and museum millage

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Kent County voters approved a 10-year renewal of the property tax that funds John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum. The millage pays for animal care, artifact preservation, exhibits, infrastructure and school programs.

The renewal levies about 41 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, down from 0.4173 mills under the Headlee Amendment. It is projected to raise $15.56 million in its first year and direct $124 million to the zoo and almost $70 million to the museum over the decade.

Why it matters

The renewal keeps roughly $194 million in projected zoo and museum funding flowing for a decade, avoiding cuts to staffing, hours and school programs.

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Key Indicators

0.4086 mills

Renewal tax rate

About 41 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, down from 0.4173 mills.

$15,562,948

First-year levy

Estimated revenue in the first year of the renewal.

$124M

Zoo 10-year share

Estimated funding for John Ball Zoo over the renewal.

$70M

Museum 10-year share

Approximate funding for the Grand Rapids Public Museum over the renewal.

10 years

Renewal term

Millage runs from 2026 through 2035.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Rob VerHeulen

Interim CEO, John Ball Zoo

Led zoo side of 2026 renewal campaign

Dale Robertson

President and CEO, Grand Rapids Public Museum

Led museum side of 2026 renewal campaign

Organizations Involved

John Ball Zoo

County-owned zoo

Receives renewed millage funding

County-owned zoo in Grand Rapids that cares for more than 2,000 animals representing over 200 species.

Grand Rapids Public Museum

Public museum

Receives renewed millage funding

Grand Rapids Public Museum holds more than 250,000 artifacts and specimens and operates a planetarium.

Kent County Board of Commissioners

County governing board

Placed renewal on November ballot

The board placed the 10-year renewal on the November 2026 ballot in May.

Timeline

2016 November 2026

4 events Latest: Today

Tap a bar to jump to that date

November 2026
Voters approve zoo and museum millage
Today Election result

WZZM reports voters approved the zoo and museum millage.
Today
September 2026
Renewal campaign launches
Campaign

Zoo and museum launch campaign for lower-rate renewal.
September 14th, 2026
May 2026
Board places renewal on ballot
Government

Board places 10-year renewal on November ballot.
May 2026
2016
First zoo and museum millage approved
Election

Kent County voters approve first zoo and museum millage.
2016

Scenarios

Millage levy appears on 2026 tax bills

Likely Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Kent County tax officials and campaign supporters

Kent County issues 2026 tax bills that include the renewed 0.4086 mill levy for the zoo and museum. The county treasurer's tax rolls would show the charge.

First-year revenue meets $15.56 million estimate

Possible Resolves by Q1 2028

Discussed by: Kent County budget officials and zoo and museum leaders

The first annual millage revenue meets the $15.56 million estimate. If revenue falls short, the zoo and museum would receive less than projected in the first year.

Legal challenge filed against renewal

Unlikely Resolves by Nov 3, 2027

Discussed by: Local election observers and taxpayer groups

A taxpayer or group files a lawsuit in Kent County Circuit Court challenging the renewal. The case would test the ballot language or levy.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2016

Kent County zoo and museum millage (2016)

Kent County voters approved a dedicated millage for John Ball Zoo and the Grand Rapids Public Museum. It funded animal care, artifact preservation, exhibits and programs.

Then

The zoo and museum gained a stable funding source for operations and education.

Now

The 2026 ballot question renewed that funding for another 10 years.

Why this matters now

The renewal extends the same funding structure first approved in 2016.

Michigan constitutional amendment

Headlee Amendment millage rollback

The Headlee Amendment requires millage rates to roll back when property values rise faster than inflation. The zoo and museum renewal appears at 0.4086 mills, down from 0.4173 mills.

Then

Voters saw a lower rate than the earlier levy.

Now

The rollback sets the renewal at about 41 cents per $1,000 of taxable value.

Why this matters now

The lower rate was a central point in the renewal campaign.