Most Alpena Public School District voters should automatically vote in favor of an 18-mill renewal for the district Nov. 3, as in all likelihood they won't pay anything toward it.

This millage is levied against businesses and recreational property. Indirectly we all are impacted when a business has to pay more taxes, but this is a millage renewal so it won't be new for businesses. And, unless a person owns a second home within the district, they are not impacted by this particular millage either.

We know times are tough and any millage request faces a tough battle. But this millage funds 21 percent of the APS budget this year and without it, the district would not be able to run a full year. For the sake of students, it is critical the millage be approved.

We believe the APS administration, under the leadership of Superintendent Brent Holcomb, has demonstrated to the public a tight and conservative fiscal approach to district operations. Certainly there is little "fat" in the APS budget that we can see.

Such a conservative philosophy is prudent, and appreciated, and we are comfortable in the APS request for this millage.

We urge voters to approve the 18-mill request Nov. 3.