The taxable value of all properties in Leelanau County increased by just 4.9 percent between 2007 and 2008 - the smallest boost in many years, according to figures presented to the county board by Equalization Department manager Pamela Zientek.

As part of a routine annual report to county commissioners at their June 10 executive committee meeting, Zientek noted that taxable values increased by 8.74 percent between 2005 and 2006 – the largest percentage increase since 2002. Aside from this year, the lowest increase, 6.68 percent, occurred between 2002 and 2003.

In terms of real dollars, taxable values have increased substantially, however – from nearly $1.5 billion in 2002 to more than $2.2 billion this year.

The report is prepared annually in anticipation of summer tax bills being sent to taxpayers on July 1. Figures from the Equalization Department also indicated that, although the county’s allocated millages have declined since 1995, the amount of revenue received from the millages has increased.

In 1995, the county allocated millage was set at 4.4780 mills, but has been “rolled back” under the Headlee Amendment to the State Constitution to 3.5393 mills for 2008.

Nonetheless, county millage revenues have increased from nearly $4.3 million in 1995 to more than $7.9 million in 2008 based on the yearly increase in taxable values.

The figures reflect only the county’s allocated millage, not additional millage levies approved by voters.

Nor do the figures reflect the actual value of properties in Leelanau County, Zientek noted. She said her department is continuing to work on a two-year sales study to determine the latest changes in residential values and, so far, “we are seeing little if any increase at all,” Zientek said.

During its regular monthly meeting last week, the county board took action on a number of other issues discussed at the June 10 executive committee meeting. Notably, the board adopted a resolution to levy the 2008 county allocated summer property tax at 3.5393 mills.

In addition, they:

• Approved a Michigan Emergency Assistance Compact that counties throughout the state are adopting to clarify how emergency responders provide mutual aid under new Homeland Security guidelines.

• Appointed county residents Joyce Stackable and Carol Bunek to the Leelanau County Jury Board on the nomination of Circuit Court judges Philip E. Rodgers Jr. and Thomas G. Power.

• Discussed a proposal from a private vendor to provide wireless Internet service for members of the public visiting the Government Center, but agreed by consensus to let county Information Technology director Ron Plamondon proceed with a plan that could provide free wireless Internet service to courthouse visitors sometime in the near future.