MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – There are a lot of millages and proposals around the Upper Peninsula in the Special Election. Two important millage proposals were presented on Tuesday’s voting ballot in Marquette County. The Marquette-Alger R.E.S.A. millage proposal if voted through would increase the annual property tax in Marquette and Alger counties by 1.5 mills for a period of 20 years.
County Clerk Linda Talsma says even in these lower turnout elections, that votes still have significance. “If you’re a taxpayer in Marquette county these are millages. Your vote does matter especially in these because in May we get a lower turnout,” commented Talsma.
The estimate of the revenue that the intermediate school district would collect is almost 5 million dollars, significantly adding to the district’s special education spending, which is currently underfunded. Although Tuesday’s election didn’t see a lot of voters at the booths, this election could still facilitate a lot of change to U.P. tax dollars.
“That one is going for 1.5 mills for 20 years so keep that in mind when you go to the polls because you may think no this isn’t an important election for me but it is an important election for you,” continued Talsma.
“For the precinct that I’m working at with, precinct 6, we had so far like 12 people. So I guess if you factor that the other precincts being represented here, maybe 30,” commented Election Commitee Yvonne Bonsall.
If you’re on the west side of the county, you may also see the NICE Community School district’s Millage renewal, which would result in the current millage rate of 18.4146 continuing for the next 10 years.
Superintendent Bryan DeAugustine told WZMQ that the millage renewal is crucial to funding busing and transportation for students which costs the school over a million dollars each year.
