August elections to feature millage renewals

Unlike May, everyone in Houghton County will have at least one potential ballot to cast on August 3rd. A millage renewal to continue funding Canal View is a county-wide measure. The proposal aims to provide over $2.2 million per year through 2025 thanks to a 2.25 mill property tax increase over the base rate.

2.25 mills means that $2.25 is assessed per $1,000 of taxable value. Hancock, Torch Lake Township, Calumet,and Laurium will have a second millage renewal to decide on, ranging from recreation to the fire department, and street maintenance and snow removal. None of the millages are new. They are an extension of current assessments, which are set to expire if the renewals fail.

Houghton County Clerk Jennifer Kelly says that she has not gotten guidance yet from Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office as far as how the election will be conducted. Turnout in August, with no primaries involved, tends to be substantially lower than what is seen in a November general contest, which should make it easier to properly staff poll locations. Most COVID restrictions are lifted as of July 1st, well before voting takes place.

The Houghton County Democratic Party has already put out a statement in support of the Canal View millage renewal. That can be seen below, along with the official ballot language for all proposals.

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Whereas: There is a long tradition of Houghton County providing long term care to many of the county’s most vulnerable citizens dating back to the Houghton County Infirmary in the 1870’s which became the Houghton County Medical Care Facility in 1939 . This tradition has allowed for local residents to receive long-term care close to home, important for maintaining family and other community connections during their stays whether short or long term. (And)

Whereas: Canal View-Houghton County Medical Care Facility provides both short-term rehabilitation and long term care in a 197 bed facility including 28 beds in the Woodland Haven Memory Care Unit. (And)

Whereas: The care provided at Canal View-Houghton County Medical Care Facility is of high quality as evidenced by satisfaction of patients and family but also recognized by the facility receiving Best Nursing Home Banners in both Long-Term Care and Short-Term Rehabilitation in the US News and World Report 2021 (the only facility in the Upper Peninsula to achieve this recognition) as well as consistently receiving four stars in reviews by the Michigan Department of Public Health responsible for nursing home surveys in Michigan; (And)

Whereas; During the Covid-19 pandemic Canal View-Houghton County Medical Care Facility strictly followed and continues to follow the requirements and recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and the Michigan Department of Public Health (even when unpopular such as restrictions to visitation) keeping patients and staff as safe as possible. Inspectors from the Michigan Department of Public Health commended the facility on their practices during special Covid-19 adherence reviews and stated they were also one of the best facilities in the state in adhering to State Licensing Infection Control regulations; (And)

Whereas: Funds from county millages (which date back to 1966) have been used judiciously allowing for the recent expansion and renovation without the facility accumulating debt, updating of software critical to patient care, as well as serving local residents who might otherwise not be cared for due to financial or other complications. (And)

Whereas: There are remaining renovations needed and planned for to older parts of the facility including new windows and changes in plumbing which this millage will make possible; (And)

Whereas: This millage request represents a reduction from 2.55310 to 2.25 mills as requested by the facility based on their anticipated needs; (And)

Whereas: Canal View-Houghton County Medical Care Facility provides over 320 jobs in the county at competitive salaries and benefits making them now the largest healthcare provider in the county;

Therefore;

Be it Resolved: The Houghton County Democratic Party commends the staff of Canal View – Houghton County Medical Facility for the outstanding care provided to the patients by the facility especially during the Covid-19 pandemic and strongly supports the renewal of the millage for Canal View-Houghton County Medical Care Facility.

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County wide election for Canal View:
Tax Limitation Renewal Proposition for
Operation of the Canal View ~ Houghton County

Shall the limitation on the total amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in the County of Houghton be increased 2.25 mills ($2.25 per $1,000 of taxable valuation) which will provide tax revenue to an estimated $2,250,000 for 2022 for a period of 4 years, 2022 – 2025 inclusive, for taxes so raised to be used exclusively for the operation of the Houghton County Medical Care Facility (this being a renewal of the 2.55310 mills which will expire with the 2021 tax levy)?

City of Hancock:
RECREATION MILLAGE RENEWAL
Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 0.80 mills ($0.80 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) on the total amount of taxes which may be assessed against all Real and Personal Property in the City of Hancock be renewed for a period of 5 years, 2022-2026 inclusive, for taxes so raised to be used exclusively for Hancock Recreational Improvements; which, if approved, will provide tax revenue up to an estimated $93,580.00 in 2022?

Torch Lake Township:
BALLOT PROPOSAL FOR HUBBELL FIRE DISTRICT 1
Authorization for hydrant lines, modification of fire station, new equipment,
replacement of fire truck

Shall the expired previous voted increases in the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Torch Lake Township, of 2 mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced to 1.9682 mills ($1.9682 per $1,000 of taxable value), by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at and increased to the original voted 2 mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) and levied for ten years, 2021 through 2030 inclusive, and be used exclusively for the cost of hydrant lines, modifications to the fire station, and the purchase of new fire equipment, and the possibility of a fire truck for Hubbell Fire District 1, raising an estimated $24,500.00 in the first year the millage is levied?

Village of Calumet:
STREET DEPARTMENT
MILLAGE RENEWAL

Shall the currently authorized special millage rate of three (3) mills (Three Dollars per One Thousand Dollars) upon the taxable value of real property and personal property in the Village of Calumet, first approved in 1976 and subsequently renewed thereafter periodically, be renewed for a period of Five (5) years, these years being 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, inclusive, for the purpose of paying the general operation and maintenance expenses of the Village of Calumet, including, but not limited to, the purchase and maintenance of snow removal equipment, the maintenance and repair of Village streets and sidewalks, and the provision of snow removal and street maintenance? If voters approve this millage renewal, it will raise approximately $27,000.00 in its first year of application.

Village of Laurium:
MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL

Shall the ad valorem rate of taxation in the Village of Laurium be RENEWED 2.4905 mills
($2.4905 per $1,000 of taxable value) together with an additional millage increase of .0995 mill ($0.0995 per $1,000 of state taxable value) during each of the years 2022-2026, inclusive, to equate to a total rate of 2.5 mills ($2.50 per $1,000 of state taxable value), to be used EXCLUSIVELY for the payment of the purchase or major upgrading of Department of Public Works equipment? The tax revenue shall be deposited into the DPW Equipment Bond Fund and is estimated to collect $63,740 in the year 2022. This a RENEWAL of previously authorized millage in 2016.