IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County’s taxable value rose by $60 million in 2025, an increase of 5.4%, according to Equalization Director Matt Baumgartner.

The increase compares with a 2025 inflation rate cap for taxable valuations of 3.1% set by the Michigan State Tax Commission.

Baumgartner presented the county’s annual apportionment report to the county board Monday, noting the total taxable value is $1.17 billion. The $60 million increase is due to new construction, the uncapping or transfer of certain properties, and higher assessments no more than the inflation cap.

State law caps yearly increases in taxable value for individual properties at either 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. In both 2023 and 2024 the cap was 5%.

When a home sells or ownership is transferred, the taxable value is uncapped — and the following year’s taxes are based on the home’s assessed value, which is half its market value. The cap then applies to future increases in taxable value until the next time the home is sold. The law also allows for taxable values to be uncapped when major renovations are completed.

The 5.4% increase in Dickinson’s 2025 taxable value should generate about $370,000 in additional operating millage revenue for the county budget.

The county’s taxable value increased 8.9% in 2024 and 5.2% in 2023, Baumgartner said.

In other action, the county board:

— Appointed Teri Sanborn, Republican, and Robert Simon, Democrat, to four-year terms on the Board of Canvassers. The board, which consists of two Republican canvassers and two Democratic canvassers, is responsible for transmitting canvassed election totals to the Board of State Canvassers, which certifies election results.

— Accepted, with regret, the resignations of Amber Butterfield from the Dickinson County Planning Commission and Katie Driscoll from the Pinecrest Medical Care Facility Board and the Department of Health and Human Services Board.

— Heard a report from Shannon Lundholm, chief deputy register of deeds, who emphasized the ongoing need to guard against ransomware attacks. In Wexford County, a November cyberattack disrupted the register of deeds office for months, stopping real estate transactions for about half a year. Wexford County’s estimated financial cost exceeds $500,000, in additional to the ripple effects for the community.

— Heard Commissioner Victoria Jakel and Chair Dan Harrington raise the possibility of reducing the size of the Dickinson County Fair Board by two members. It’s currently a 13-member board that includes two county commissioners — Jakel and Harrington. According to the county website, terms for five members will expire at the end of the year — Liane Arnold, Rob Barkle, Tom Bedard, Ashley Edwards and James Stachowicz.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.