EDITOR:

Pamela Trask’s recent letter raises important questions about the Bay College Iron Mountain Campus millage proposal set for Aug. 5. However, I believe renewing the 20-year millage is vital for our community’s development and the future of our local students.

The initial investment in Bay College was indeed significant and has yielded numerous benefits. The Iron Mountain Campus has provided our community with access to quality higher education, which is a cornerstone for individual and collective growth. Education is transformative, and supporting the Iron Mountain Campus means investing in the future leaders, entrepreneurs and skilled professionals of Dickinson County.

While it is true that Bay College receives funding from various sources, the support from local property taxes has been crucial in maintaining and enhancing the educational facilities and programs. Without this funding, the quality of education could be compromised, impacting the opportunities available to our youth.

Furthermore, the Iron Mountain Campus has been an essential partner in workforce development, aligning its programs with the needs of local employers and creating pathways for students to secure high-quality jobs within our region. This partnership helps keep our economy robust and ensures that we have a skilled workforce to support local businesses.

Delta County has a higher millage rate of 3.2974, which means that residents contribute more through their property taxes to support Bay College.

In contrast, Dickinson County’s current millage rate is significantly lower, at 0.9987. This lower rate means that the community contributes less in property taxes for the college’s support, resulting in higher tuition rates for Dickinson County students. Essentially, the level of millage funding directly influences the financial resources available to the college, which in turn affects the tuition rates for students from each county.

By understanding and addressing these differences in millage rates, Dickinson County can work towards advocating for more equitable tuition policies in the future, ensuring that all students have access to affordable education.

In conclusion, I urge Dickinson County voters to consider the long-term benefits of the millage renewal. The investment in education is one that pays dividends not only to the students but to the entire community.

On Aug. 5, I will be voting YES on the Bay College RENEWAL millage request, because I believe in supporting education, fairness and the sustainable development of our community.

There will be a Town Hall meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Braumart theater in downtown Iron Mountain.