A proposal to reduce the county millage rate was shot down this week by the county Board of Commissioners.
The board had been expected to approve a 3.252-mill levy — the most allowed by law due to the Headlee rollback. They had recommended this proposal for approval at their May 13 meeting. However, District 3 commissioner Will Bunek asked for further discussion Tuesday night.
“We have $23 million in accounts but with that amount of money … We have an opportunity to lower taxes,” Bunek said. “We all ran on fiscal responsibility. Let the people keep their money.”
Jim Dyer, county administrator, explained that the millage rate is adopted in the spring (for summer collection).
“You approve the millage now for next year’s budget, which we haven’t even started talking about,” he said.
Dyer also explained that the $23 million fund balance isn’t just sitting in the bank — much of it is already allocated.
“Without a specific review, I’d be reluctant to do it,” he said. “I understand the desire, but I’d be reluctant to reduce anything.”
All commissioners spoke on the issue. District 6 commissioner Gwenne Allgaier questioned the timing of the proposal given current unknowns about federal and state revenue.
District 2 commissioner Mark Walter suggested a reduction could be consid- Superintendent Casey Petz.
“It is the position of the school district that the 2% program, as currently implemented by GTB, violates the consent judgment between Native tribes and the State of Michigan,” Petz said. “… The 2% consent agreement exists, specifically, to address an issue that local units of government (such as SBPS) did not create.
“Schools, county governments, road commissions, and other local units of government cannot levy tax on property that has been exempted by the state (casinos operated by Native Tribes),” he said. “In Suttons Bay, this accounts for a significant impact to the amount of tax we can collect to operate and maintain our school system, and it has negatively impacted the district’s finances for decades.”
After adopting the policy, commissioners voted to endorse all six 2% requests, recommended at their May 13 executive session. However, they were acted on them in two groups: governmental units and non-profits.
“When you approve these, ask yourself what government entity, whether a fire department, school or library, will not receive these moneys,” Bunek said. “That’s what it comes to.”
Commissioner Gwenne Allgaier argued in favor of the 2% requests.
“They serve the citizens of Leelanau County in ways that we can’t,” she said.
The board, voted 5-1, with Bunek opposed, to approve a $15,000 request from the Inland Seas Education Association and $12,000 request from the nonprofit housing corporation Home Sweet Home Commissioners unanimously supported the following applications for government entities:
• Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office, $20,981 for an accident investigation total station
• Parks and Recreation Commission, $18,006 for disc golf course updates and beginner/ putter course at Myles Kimmerly Park
• Probate and Family Court, $18,000 to purchase bikes, helmets, trail and storage mounting kit for the summer activity programs.
• 13th Circuit Court- Child & Family Services, $5,000 for Safe Haven program.
