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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Turnout in Dickinson County was about 30% in Tuesday’s primary election as voters approved millage renewals by comfortable margins for roads and the Norway-Vulcan Senior Citizens Center, among others.
The Dickinson County Road Commission sought renewal of a levy of 0.5 mills, or 50 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, for five years. It was approved by a vote of 3,990 yes to 1,397 no.
"We are very pleased that the millage passed and with the margin it did, too, and are appreciative to the citizens for their support of the Dickinson County Road Commission," said Jim Harris, road commission managing director.
Funds from the levy are used by the commission for local road projects in the county's seven townships. The portion generated from each of the county's three cities is sent directly to the cities for their street needs.
Across the county, the levy will raise an estimated an estimated $587,037 in 2027.
The proposed Norway-Vulcan senior millage was also 0.5 mills and will be renewed for four years. It was approved in the city of Norway, 465 yes to 129 no; in Norway Township, 348 yes to 95 no; and in Waucedah Township, 180 yes to 81 no.
In 2027, it will raise an estimated $38,738 in Norway Township, $32,818 in Waucedah Township and $36,575 in the City of Norway for a total of $108,131.
The millage to fund the Norway-Vulcan center's operation, maintenance, meals, activities and services was introduced in 2018 after Norway-Vulcan Senior Citizen Center Inc. broke away in 2016 from the Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency. The center's allocation set by the Dickinson County Board this year from two county-wide senior millages is $50,000.
Also approved was the Tri-Township Ambulance Authority's Nordic Ambulance proposal. The vote total in Breen, Felch and West Branch townships was 270 yes to 72 no. The proposed levy was 1 mill, or $1 per $1,000 of taxable value, for six years.
Although the millage proposal appeared on the ballot as an increase it is, in effect, a renewal. That's because the Tri-Township Ambulance Authority's current levy of 0.5 mills is expiring, along with each individual township’s 0.5-mill levy, which will not be renewed.
The replacement millage will raise an estimated $28,913 in Breen Township, $49,365 in Felch Township and $11,037 in West Branch Township, totaling $89,315 when first levied this year.
Proposed two-year millage renewals in Sagola Township were also approved. A levy of 1 mill, or $1 per $1,000 of taxable value, for fire protection was approved 267 yes to 52 no. The vote was the same -- 267 to 52 -- to approve a renewal of 0.75 mills, or 75 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, for STAR ambulance.
In 2027 the Sagola Township fire levy will raise an estimated $73,462, while the ambulance levy will raise an estimated $55,097.
According to data from the Dickinson County clerk's office, about half of the 6,304 ballots cast in the election came on Election Day. There were 3,707 voters on Election Day, 2,356 absentee ballots, and 241 early voting ballots.