BELLAIRE — Antrim County voters will decide on nine ballot proposals Aug. 4.
The proposals include a countywide 911 millage, four road improvement millages, two school millages and three emergency response millages during the Primary Election.
The 911 millage is a restoration and renewal of the 0.50 mill ($0.50 cents per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation) levy. The levy was reduced to 0.4833 mills due to rollbacks. The four-year proposal would apply to all taxable property in the county and would fund the continued operations of the comprehensive countywide 911 Emergency Telephone and Central Dispatch System.
If approved and levied in its entirety, this millage would raise an estimated $1,400,519 for Antrim County in 2027. By law, the Downtown Development Authority/Tax Increment Finance Authority may capture a portion of the millage revenue generated from properties located within the district to the extent provided in its tax increment financing plan.
Voters in Kearney, Mancelona and Torch Lake townships will decide on road improvement millages.
Kearney Township is hoping voters will vote to reestablish and restore the 0.5 mill ($0.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) road improvement millage previously approved. The millage expired in December 2025 and it had been reduced by Headlee rollbacks to 0.4758 mills. If passed, the four-year millage is expected to collect an estimated $94,056 in the first year.Mancelona Township is asking voters to reestablish and restore a previously approved 1.0 mill ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) road improvement millage. The current millage expires this year and has been reduced to 0.9523 mills due to Headlee rollbacks. The four-year millage could raise an estimated $143,026 in the first year, if approved.Mancelona Township is also hoping voters will approve a four-year, 1.0 mill ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) increase in the tax limitation to be levied for construction, improvement, repair and maintenance of public roads within the township. If approved, it is expected to collect an estimated $143,026 the first year.Torch Lake Township voters will decide on a proposed six-year, 1.0 mill ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) road millage renewal. The current millage was reduced to 0.9682 due to rollbacks and the proposal will restore it back to the full 1.0 mill to fund construction and maintenance of public roads in the township. If approved, it could collect an estimated $412,650 the first year.
There are two school millage proposals on the ballot.
Alba Public Schools is proposing a restoration levy to fully capture the 18 mill operating millage. The operating millage is required by state law for districts to receive the state per pupil foundation allowance. The proposal would levy 1 mill ($1 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on all non-homestead properties for three years to incrementally restore any rollbacks to the 18 mill levy that are applied due to Headlee rollbacks. If approved and the projected 0.1413 mill of the 1 mill is levied, approximately $6,100 will be collected in 2026.Central Lake Public Schools is asking voters to approve a 0.4766 mill ($0.4766 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation), four-year levy for a sinking fund. The money collected could be used for the purchase of real estate, the construction or repair of school buildings, school security, technology, transportation vehicles and all other purposes authorized by law. If the levy is approved, it is expected to levy approximately $203,421 in 2027.
Voters across nine townships will consider three first responder proposals.
Mancelona Township is proposing a 0.5 mill ($0.50 per $1000.00 of taxable value) levy to provide funds to Mancelona Fire District for new vehicles and equipment. The four-year millage, if approved, is expected to raise an estimated $71,500.Village of Central Lake is asking voters to approve a 3.0 mill ($3 per $1,000 of taxable value), four-year levy to fund operations and equipment for the village police department. If approved, it is expected to collect an estimated $109,982.968 in the first year.Central Lake, Chestonia, Custer, Forest Home, Helena, Kearney, Mancelona, Star and Warner township voters will decide on an ambulance operating millage. The proposal would allow the Authority Board to renew the 2 mills levy ($2 per $1,000 of taxable value) for four years for the purpose of providing funds for acquiring, construction, improvement, repair, and maintenance of ambulance buildings and facilities and for equipping, operating and maintaining ambulance services within the territorial limits of the Township Ambulance Authority. It is estimated that the 2 mills would raise an estimated $2,548,581.64 for the Township Ambulance Authority in 2027.