County millage and surcharge, four township millages go to vote in Nov. 6 election

By Greg Buckner
Staff Writer | reporter@ogemawherald.com

OGEMAW COUNTY — Local voters will be voting on a millage and surcharge for the county and multiple township millages during the Nov. 6 presidential election.

The countywide public transit millage calls for a renewal of the previous operating millage of 0.3 mills for Ogemaw County Public Transit. If approved, it would be levied for five years and is estimated to raise $241,791 in its first year, if passed.

A 0.3 mill millage would result in taxpayers paying 30 cents per every $1,000 of taxable value.

A countywide 911 operating surcharge will also be on the ballot, calling for an additional $1.00 monthly surcharge for a total of up to $1.59 on the monthly billings of landline, wireless, and VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) service suppliers within the county.

If passed, the surcharge is estimated to produce close to $200,000 in its first year and the proposal states the funds raised would be used exclusively for the funding of 911 emergency telephone call answering and dispatch services within Ogemaw County, including facilities, equipment and operations.

The surcharge would be in effect from July 2013 continuing through December 2016 if approved.

Voters in Goodar Township will be voting on two millage renewals. The first is a fire protection millage for 0.5 mills, which would be levied for eight years and raise an estimated $13,497 in its first year if approved, with the money going toward keeping the South Branch Fire Department operational. The second millage is for funding township operations, with it also calling for a millage of 0.5 mills to be levied for eight years, raising an estimated $13,497 in its first year.

Both millages would have taxpayers paying 50 cents per every $1,000 of taxable value if approved.

A fire equipment millage proposal will be on the ballot for voters in Foster Township. The proposal calls for a millage of 0.5 mills to be levied from 2014 through 2017. If approved, the millage is estimated to raise $22,790 in its first year.

Taxpayers would pay 50 cents per every $1,000 of taxable value if approved.

In Logan Township, voters will decide the fate of a road improvement millage proposal. The proposal calls for a millage of two mills to be levied for 10 years. If approved, it is estimated the millage would raise $57,384 in its first year and would be aimed at graveling, ditching and brining gravel roads in the township.

If passed, taxpayers would pay $2 per every $1,000 of taxable value.

Also on the Nov. 6. ballot are individual millage proposals from both West Branch-Rose City Area School District and the Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency.

Voters in the WB-RC district will decide on a proposal that would override Headlee Amendment rollbacks, restoring the district’s non-homestead millage to 18 mills.

The proposal calls for a millage of 0.0792 mills to be levied on only non-homestead properties and businesses. If approved, the millage would be in effect from 2012-2014 and is estimated it would raise an extra $27,535 in its first year to go with the $5.5 million the current millage the district collects is estimated to raise this year.

The district’s current millage is levied on non-permanent residences, second and vacation homes and businesses in the school district.

Taxpayers would have to pay 7.92 cents on each $1,000 of taxable value if the new proposal is approved.

District Superintendent Dan Cwayna told the Herald Sept. 27 that if approved, the millage proposal would help to replace the money the district has been losing over the years from eroding property taxes.

Voters in the Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency district will vote on a millage proposal that if approved, would establish a career and technical education program. The proposal calls for a tax of 0.65 mills to be levied for 10 years. If passed, the millage would raise an estimated $993,000 in its first year.

Taxpayers would pay 65 cents per every $1,000 of taxable value if the proposal passes.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. the day of the election. For more information or assistance in voting, people can contact their respective township board members.