BEULAH — Voters in Benzie County will decide on three countywide proposals.
The Aug. 4 Primary Election includes a variety of proposals, including county-wide measures that would establish separate tax limitations, fund jail operations and ensure continued funding for The Maples.
The county is asking voters to approve separate tax limitations, setting the general operating millage to 4.44 mills — a rate still below the original 5.29 mills approved in 1982 — and to consolidate several smaller millages into one.
The proposal would establish millage rates of 4.4399 mills ($4.4399 per $1,000.00 taxable value) for the county, 1.21 mills ($1.21 per $1,000.00 taxable value) for the townships and 0.1828 mills ($0.1828 per $1,000.00 taxable value) for the intermediate school district for two years, with the total not to exceed 5.8327 mills ($5.8327 per $1,000.00 taxable value).
The reset would eliminate three current special millages and stabilize county operations, Benzie Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jon Willow said.
“While most Michigan counties reset their millages every two to four years, Benzie County has been making do with less and less for 44 years, relying on special millages to patch gaps,” he said. “We’ve kicked the can down the road as far as it will go.”
Also on the ballot, the proposed jail operation millage renewal would continue the same 1.266 mills ($1.266 per $1,000.00 taxable value) voters previously approved in 2024 for another four years. The proposal would be levied on all property in the county and could raise an estimated $2,414,386 for jail operations in the first year.
In accordance with state law, a small portion of the millage may be captured by the City of Frankfort Downtown Development Authority and the Benzie County Brownfield Authority.
Voters will also decide on continued funding for The Maples, a county-owned skilled nursing facility in Frankfort that provides long-term care, skilled nursing care, rehabilitative therapy services, and an active home atmosphere for residents.
On the ballot is a proposal to continue funding at the same 0.3519 mills ($0.3519 per $1,000 of taxable value) voters previously approved in 2022. The proposed five-year levy could raise an estimated $671,108 in the first calendar year. As required by state law, a small portion of the millage may be captured by the City of Frankfort Downtown Development Authority, Honor Village Corridor Improvement Authority and the Benzie County Brownfield Authority.
Also on the ballot are a variety of proposals involving emergency response departments, schools and libraries.
There are three ballot proposals requesting funding for first responders.
Almira Township is asking voters to consider a two-year, 2 mills ($2 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) levy for the general operation and maintenance of the Almira Township Fire and EMS Department. The proposal is an increase and renewal of the currently approved 1.5 mills levy, which is being taxed at a rate of 1.4046 mills due to rollbacks. If approved, this millage could raise an estimated $508,000 in 2027.Gilmore Township voters will decide on a five-year 1.5 mills ($1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) levy to fund fire protection and first responder services in the township. The proposal is a renewal of a previous millage, which has been reduced to 1.4787 mills due to rollbacks. If approved, the amount estimated to be raised in the first year of the levy is $85,802.Inland Township is proposing a renewal of a 0.9712 mills
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tax levy on all taxable property in the township for the purpose of purchasing, repairing and maintaining fire and related equipment for the Inland Township Fire Department. The five-year millage proposed is a continuation of a millage that expired in 2025. If approved, the millage is estimated to collect approximately $127,000 in 2026.
Voters in the Benzie County Central School district will have two proposals on their ballot related to the district.
Benzie County Central Schools, which includes voters from Benzie, Manistee, Grand Traverse and Wexford vounties, is requesting a restoration of their previously approved operating millage rate. The four-year, 2.5 mills requested would be used to cover the levy reductions caused by Headlee rollbacks, in order to restore the full, previously approved 18 mills ($18 per $1,000 taxable value) limit. it could raise $66,662 in 2026.Benzie County Central Schools is also requesting a replacement of the building and site sinking fund millage. The proposed 10-year, 0.7 mills ($0.70 per $1,000 taxable value) levy would be used for expenses outside of operational costs for things like construction or repair of school buildings, school security, technology, school vehicle purchases or maintenance, school supplies and more. If approved, it could raise an estimated $942,243 in 2027.
Benzonia Township Library is proposing a renewal and increase of their operating millage. Voters will consider a 0.78 mill levy ($0.78 per each $1,000 of taxable value), of which 0.5518 mill is a renewal of the previously authorized millage that expires in 2026 and 0.2282 mill is new additional millage. The seven-year levy is estimated to collect $265,000 in 2027.
As provided in the Joint Library Board Agreement between the township and the Villages of Benzonia and Beulah, the revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed equally to the Benzonia Public Library and the Darcy Library of Beulah.