IRON MOUNTAIN — City council members voiced support Monday for an Iron Mountain school liaison officer millage on today’s ballot.

The proposal calls for a property tax levy of up to .55 mills, or 55 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, to fund a full-time liaison officer in Iron Mountain Public Schools for five years.

Mayor Dale Alessandrini pointed out the school debt levy in Iron Mountain will drop this year from 5.04 mills to 4.75 mills, a decline of 29 cents per $1,000 of taxable value that will partly offset any increase. He also said the city will levy only the amount needed to fund the position, currently estimated at .45 mills, or 45 cents per $1,000 of taxable value.

On a home worth $90,000, with a taxable value of $45,000, a tax of 0.55 mills amounts to $24.75 a year. Council member Nathan Zemar said the extra $2 per month for an average taxpayer is well worth the investment.

“I know first-hand how important it is,” said council member Bill Revord, a retired police officer.

Council members Pam Maule and Kyle Blomquist also spoke in support of the millage.

An officer had been assigned to the position for about 12 years when the school decided it would no longer split the cost. Voters rejected a similar millage increase to rescue the program in November 2014.

“It’s a very important position and we’d really like to have it back,” Director of Police and Fire Services Ed Mattson said. “It’s amazing how much more you accomplish having an officer in the schools.”

In other action, the council:

— Thanked council member Juan Saldana, who is not seeking re-election today, for his dedicated service. Saldana said his goal while in office has been to help the community.

— Learned from City Manager Jordan Stanchina that the compost site behind the public works building will be closed beginning Monday. The collection of loose leaves by city crews is ongoing, he added. “It’s highly recommended that leaves are raked as soon as possible because weather may not allow us to make another pass,” he said.

— Approved a request from Mattson to use City Hall as an Emergency Medical Services Training Center to serve fire department members and the community at large. Classes for emergency medical technician training will take place on evenings and weekends. Two contract employees will provide instruction. The city will incur no cost to host the program, which will be licensed through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Emergency Medical Services Section.

— Heard Stanchina report that with the revival of the Dickinson County Brownfield Authority structures such as the former Timbers Motor Lodge on Stephenson Avenue might qualify for tax reimbursements for developers doing rehabilitation projects.

— Presented a resolution of recognition to James Owen, a fire department engineer retiring after 25 years, praising his efforts in contributing to a better and safer community. “It’s been a pleasure to serve the people of Iron Mountain,” Owen said.

— Agreed to give notice to Dickinson County that the city will no longer lease an airport beacon tower on Pine Mountain. Fire department and public works radio equipment has been moved to a city-owned tower on Millie Hill to improve reception. A pole will be installed for a water tank antenna that will be relocated as well. Under an agreement dating to 1993, the city has paid half the power costs for the Pine Mountain tower, including a beacon light.

— Tentatively scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Dec. 2 on a request from Toni Kozlowski to vacate an undeveloped alley right-of-way south of the 1000 block of Fairbanks Avenue.

— Learned that, as of Friday, eight deer have been culled from the city herd during the annual managed archery hunt.