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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Dickinson County's taxable value rose by $55 million in 2026, an increase of 4.7%, according to Equalization Director Matt Baumgartner.
Baumgartner presented the annual apportionment report to the county board Monday, noting the county's total taxable value is $1.23 billion. The $55 million increase is due to new construction, the uncapping or transfer of certain properties, and higher assessments no more than the inflation cap.
The valuation increase of 4.7% compares with a 2026 inflation rate cap for taxable valuations of 2.7% set by the Michigan State Tax Commission. The 2025 inflation rate cap was 3.1% and in 2024 it was 5%, which is the highest allowed by statute.
State law caps yearly increases in taxable value for individual properties at either 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. 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 increase in Dickinson's 2026 valuation should generate about $315,000 in additional operating revenue for the county budget, Baumgartner said. That's down from the previous year's projection of $370,000 in revenue growth.
The county's taxable value increased 5.4% in 2025 and 8.9% in 2024, Baumgartner noted.
When Commissioner Joe Stevens asked what the outlook might be for the next couple of years, Baumgartner said increases in the range of 3% to 5% might be expected. "We're very stable," he said.
Controller Brian Bousley was asked by Stevens how the county budget might be impacted, and Bousley said increases in employee wages and health insurance premiums largely offset the anticipated revenue growth.
In other action, the county board:
-- Referred to its parks committee a request to introduce control methods or deterrents for geese at Lake Antoine Park. Canada goose numbers at the lake have climbed from 23 a few years ago to 97 this year, according to Lake Antoine Road residents Pete and Pam Wilsens. "They leave poop everywhere -- in the grass, on the roads and walkways on the beach, and in the water," they said in a statement to the board.
The excrement can be tied to swimmer's itch and a number of serious diseases, including cryptosporidium, and a greater risk for algae blooms in the lake, they noted. Among their suggested deterrents are green lasers, lavender and trained dogs.
If a remedy can't be found with oversight from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the county should take responsibility for raking up and disposing of the feces daily, or even twice daily, the Wilsens said.
In June, Barbara Kramer of Iron Mountain had also addressed the board to say talks were needed with the DNR and others concerning geese at the park. On Monday, she urged the board to take the concerns seriously.
Teresa Maycroft of Breitung Township addressed the board to say that worries over swimmer's itch do keep people from using the park's beach.
-- Heard a presentation from Jean Belanger of the Hamilton Lakes Association regarding efforts to establish a bike/walking path. The group would like help from the county in pursuing a Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant, which would require a 25% local match, whether in cash or in-kind contributions. Bousley said the county could assist in the application planning, but providing funding would be "a hard ask."
-- Received an update from Mindy (Meyers) Urban, executive director of the Dickinson Area Development Alliance, on programs and activities. A housing needs assessment being compiled by the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission will be posted at https://www.daeda.org/post/dickinson-county-housing-needs-assessment until Oct. 31, she noted.
A total of 370 ninth grade students from eight area schools participated in Manufacturing Day on Oct. 2, learning about career paths. A similar event for the health care field is planned for 10th graders in February. More information on the Alliance and its 20-member board can be found at https://www.daeda.org/.
-- Will meet at 6 p.m. Monday to discuss 2027 county budget requests.
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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.