Jail Bond Proposal Ballot Language Approved

Residents in Houghton County will vote on a bond proposal to expand the county jail in November.

At their regular meeting Tuesday, the County Board of Commissioners approved the language of the proposal that will appear on the ballot.

The bond is for $11 million that will be paid over 20 years.  The estimated millage to be levied will be about .75 mills each year.

If approved, the county will move forward with the project to add more cells to the existing, overcrowded facility next to the courthouse in Houghton.

Here is the ballot language:

COUNTY JAIL BOND PROPOSAL

Shall the County of Houghton, Michigan, borrow the principal sum of not to exceed Eleven Million Dollars ($11,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds, in one or more series, payable in not to exceed twenty (20) years from date of issuance of each series, for the purpose of paying the costs of acquiring, constructing, furnishing, and equipping, additions, improvements, and remodeling of the county jail, including site improvements, appurtenances and attachments thereto?

Yes

No

The estimated millage to be levied in 2019 is .7439 mills ($.7439 per $1,000 of taxable value) and the estimated simple average annual millage rate required to retire the bonds is .751 mills ($.751 per $1,000 of taxable value).