KALKASKA — Kalkaska County residents will decide on 13 ballot proposals, including two county-wide measures.
Voters across the county will decide on millage renewals to fund the county’s recycling program and Animal Control Department, in addition to a variety of township proposals.
The county is asking voters to approve funding for the operation and maintenance of the Animal Control Department at the same millage rate previously approved by voters in 2022. The four-year proposal would levy a 0.1307 mill ($0.1307 per $1,000 of taxable value) tax and could raise an estimated $157,283 in the first year for the department.
Voters will also consider continued funding for the county’s recycling program, with a proposed 0.114 mill ($0.114 per $1,000 of taxable value) levy. The four-year proposed millage is the same rate previously approved in 2022 for the operation and maintenance of the program. If approved and levied in full, it will raise an estimated $137,186 the first year.
In accordance with state law, a portion of both of the county-wide millage proposals may be disbursed to the Downtown Development Authority of the Village of Kalkaska, if approved.
Of the remaining 11 township proposals, five townships are looking to fund emergency response departments.
Bear Lake Township is asking voters to renew and restore the expired, previously approved millage of 2.5 mills ($2.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) to fund the operations of the township’s fire department. The millage was reduced to 2.4252 mills due to rollbacks. The proposed four-year millage would be used to fund rescue services, the repair and maintenance of fire-rescue equipment and the purchase of fire-rescue equipment, including the purchase of fire and/or rescue vehicles and equipment. It could raise approximately $238,279 in 2026.Blue Lake Township is proposing a millage renewal and increase to provide operational and capital funds for fire protection and emergency services. The millage was originally approved at a rate of 1.8 mills but was levied in 2025 at a rate of 1.4 mills. The proposal requests a renewal at the 1.4 mills rate ($1.40 per $1,000 of taxable value) for four years. The millage could collect an estimated $154,357 in the first year.Boardman Township is requesting a five-year, 2.0 mills ($2 per each $1,000 of taxable value) levy on all taxable property to fund the operations, maintenance, purchase of equipment and any other purpose authorized by law for the township fire department. If approved, it could collect $139,000 in 2026.Orange Township is proposing a five-year 1 mill levy ($1 per each $1,000 of taxable value) on all taxable property for the purpose of operating, equipping, maintaining and purchasing for fire protection services and any other purpose authorized by law. If adopted, it could collect approximately $56,000 in 2026.Springfield Township is hoping voters renew and restore the 1 mill ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) fire capital improvements millage that expired in 2025 for four years. The millage was levied at a reduced rate of 0.9369 mills due to Headlee rollbacks. The funds collected will be used to purchase firefighting equipment and other capital improvements for fire protection services. If approved, approximately $72,115 could be collected the first year.
Voters in three townships will consider a variety of proposals related to funding community assets and services.
Bear Lake Township is asking for 0.5 mills ($0.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) to fund for maintenance and improvement costs for the township’s community center, including grounds maintenance; insulation; new ceilings; remodeling of the bathrooms for handicap accessibility; air conditioning; equipment repairs and replacement; and sealing and repairing the parking lot. The four-year proposed millage could raise an estimated $47,655 in 2026.Blue Lake Township’s refuse collection millage renewal is up for approval. The original millage levied 1 mill and in 2025 it was levied at a reduced 0.7 mill rate due to rollbacks. The proposal is requesting a renewal but only at an up to 0.75 mill rate ($0.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) for four years. It could raise an estimated $80,959 in the first year.Oliver Township is proposing an additional general operating fund millage of 1 mill ($1 per $1,000 of taxable valuation) to prevent loss of services now provided (including, but not limited to, fire and rescue contracts and general operation) due to loss of taxable value as well as loss of revenue from the state. The five-year millage could raise approximately $21,797 in the first year.
Three townships are proposing new or continued funding to repair roads and bridges in their jurisdictions.
Blue Lake Township is hoping voters will approve a road millage renewal, at a reduced rate. The original millage was 1.50 mills, reduced to 1.4999 mills by required rollbacks, and the proposal would authorize the millage up to 0.60 mills ($0.60 per $1,000 of taxable value), not the original 1.50 mills. The funds would be used for the construction and maintenance of roads in the township. The proposal could collect approximately $64,767 the first year.Boardman Township’s road millage proposal is a renewal and restoration of the previously approved millage. The five-year, 2 mills ($2 per each $1,000 of taxable value) proposal would restore 0.1638 mills that were eliminated due to rollbacks. The funds would be used for constructing, preserving, improving, repairing and maintaining roads and bridges in the township. The estimated revenue is approximately $139,000 in 2026.Orange Township is proposing a new five-year, 1.5 mill ($1.50 per each $1,000 of taxable value) millage on all taxable property in the township for the purpose of constructing, preserving, improving, repairing and maintaining roads and bridges in the township. The estimated revenue collected in 2026, if the millage is approved, is approximately $84,000.