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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Dickinson County voters will be asked Feb. 27 to renew a pair of millages that help fund senior citizen centers and programs.
The proposed property tax renewals are 0.15 mills, or 15 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, and 0.25 mills, or 25 cents per $1,000 of taxable value. Combined, the millages would raise about $407,400 in 2024, according to ballot language the county board approved Monday.
Feb. 27 is the date of Michigan presidential primary. The proposed renewals are for five years, through 2028.
Also on the county-wide ballot is a four-year renewal of a health care benefits counseling levy of 0.1 mills, or 10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, and a four-year renewal of 0.42 mills, or 42 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, for the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department.
The senior millages provide funding for five centers across the county as well as Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency programs, including home-delivered meals. In August 2018 five-year renewals were widely approved: 3,572 yes to 1,373 no for 0.15 mills; and 3,226 yes to 1,697 no for 0.25 mills.
In other action, the county board:
-- Heard Commissioner Barbara Kramer voice concerns that the non-profit Forever Friendship Drop-In Center faces a loss of funding. The center in Kingsford offers a free space for adults with a mental health diagnosis to get support, find resources and participate in activities. Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare System currently helps fund and promote the center's adult services.
-- Approved a proposed change in contract language affecting paid sick leave for the Governmental Employees Labor Council representing courthouse employees. With very few workers affected, County Controller Brian Bousley estimated a potential cost to the county of less than $2,000 to make the terms equivalent to the county's other union contracts.
-- Heard Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. report Dickinson County Fair Board members recently raised $1,800 as bell-ringers for the Salvation Army.
-- Joined Commissioner Joe Stevens in congratulating area athletic teams on post-season tournament success, most notably Florence High School's eight-player state football champions.