GAGE AND GUNNER FAYAS of Felch Township and Knox and Jolie Fayas of Iron Mountain climb together on the new playground equipment at Lake Antoine Park in Iron Mountain. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — A millage proposal for the Nov. 3 ballot will ask Dickinson County voters to support the work of the Medical Care Access Coalition, which helps secure health coverage and prescription assistance for more than 1,000 area residents annually.

The proposed property tax levy of 0.1 mills, or 10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, would raise an estimated $93,245 in the first year. The county board voted unanimously Monday to approve the ballot language after hearing MCAC representatives say they are out of options.

“This service is a relief to so many,” said Mylynn Trulock, MCAC director.

This past year the non-profit organization helped 1,300 people receive health care and acquire medications. The savings in prescription costs alone was more than $1 million, Trulock said.

A similar levy will be proposed in Iron County, with the ballot language scheduled to go before the county board today.

MCAC was started in 2004 to help people who could not afford medical insurance and who didn’t have insurance. When the Affordable Health Care Act came into effect, staff members went through state and federal training to become free certified Medicare and Medicaid counselors, as well as certified application counselors for the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Lola Johnson of Kingsford, chairwoman of the MCAC board, said federal and state funding no longer is available, even as the need for counselors persists. While insurance companies can offer policies, “they can only sell you theirs,” she said.

The four-year millage proposal would “provide professional assistance for obtaining Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drugs, affordable health insurance and other related health care benefits.” The levy would not specifically fund MCAC, but would provide money to the county to bid out the services.

“This is an opportunity to ask the people of Dickinson County if they want to help fund a portion of this gap,” Commissioner Kevin Pirlot said.

Commissioner Joe Stevens, a MCAC board member, said he believes the coalition is doing “a great job” helping vulnerable populations, including elderly, low-income and learning-disabled clients.

In 2017, the coalition assumed the Prescription Assistance program, which was formerly administered by Dickinson County Healthcare System. Historically, that program has saved clients more than $1 million annually.

In other action, the Dickinson County Board:

— Accepted the low bid of $90,254 from Midwest Asphalt & Gravel of Iron Mountain to replace the boat launch at Lake Antoine Park. The project, which has been planned for more than a year, is aided by a $43,865 Michigan Waterways Grant. Ice pressure caused considerable damage to the launch in early 2018, crumbling portions of the cement base. Once started, the work is expected to take about a month to complete. The project also includes disability parking and access. Four others bid on the project, including the next-lowest of $110,970 from FA Industrial Services Inc. of Iron River.

— Heard Controller Brian Bousley report that new playground equipment has been installed at Lake Antoine Park, made possible by a $30,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. The equipment was purchased from Sinclair Recreation of downstate Holland for $42,000.

— Authorized Bousley and Ford Airport Manager Tim Howen to consult the Federal Aviation Administration and initiate talks on potentially acquiring land available near the airport.

— Recognized a $3,484 donation from the family and friends of Alex T. McDermott to support the county’s dive team, which supplements a Delta County unit that serves a three-county area. Volunteer participation in the dive team has “been excellent,” Sheriff Scott Rutter said, though funding remains a challenge. McDermott was a drowning victim last summer at the Sturgeon River impoundment.

— Learned from Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. that at least 12 vendors will be part of a drive-through carnival food event Saturday at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds in Norway. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.