Felch Township, Mich. (WZMQ) – Voters in 4 Dickinson County townships—Sagola, Felch, West Branch, and Breen—will head to the polls today to decide on a critical sinking fund millage proposal for North Dickinson County School. The proposal seeks to add 1 mill per $1,000 of taxable value for 8 years, potentially generating $148,975 if approved this year.
The sinking fund is aimed at addressing significant infrastructure needs within the school district, including the purchase of new buses and the installation of a new boiler system. The district’s fleet of buses is aging, with around 6 buses currently in operation and one kept for parts. School Board President Alex Graham emphasized the importance of this funding in maintaining and improving the school’s facilities without the need to borrow money.
“We have a fleet of buses that are really old, and we need to purchase new buses,” Graham explained. “This [the sinking fund] is the better way to do it because… it allows us to save it. It allows interest without having to borrow.”
The school district has chosen to pursue a sinking fund rather than a bond proposal because of the financial flexibility it offers. Unlike a bond, which has associated fees, requires immediate spending and long-term repayment, a sinking fund allows the school to collect and save money over time, earning interest and ensuring that funds are available when they are needed. This approach has been supported by the community in the past, providing a stable and sustainable way to address ongoing maintenance and improvement needs.
Graham also highlighted the past successes of the sinking fund, which has already enabled the school to install a new roof and will soon finance the replacement of a 30-year-old boiler system. The switch to wood chips, sourced from local loggers, for heating has been a cost-effective solution, reducing reliance on expensive propane.
“We’ve been fortunate to be able to do this for a while with the support of our citizens in the community,” Graham said, expressing confidence in the community’s continued backing of the millage request. “I think that they know we wouldn’t ask for it if we didn’t need it. They’ve been very supportive in the past.”
Graham also touched on the challenges of maintaining the school’s buses, given the district’s large geographic area and harsh winter conditions, with North Dickinson County School District being one of the largest geographic school districts in the state. “The salt really eats away at them… these buses really do put the miles on and take a beating,” he noted, underscoring the need for new vehicles to ensure the safety and efficiency of student transportation.
With approximately 430 students in grades K-12, the North Dickinson community relies heavily on these resources, not just for education but as a hub for community events and athletics. Graham is optimistic that voters will see the value in continuing to invest in their local school.
“They love to come out to enjoy sports and other events… even if their children have graduated, or maybe they didn’t have children, but they really enjoyed supporting and coming out and celebrating our athletes and students,” Graham said, reflecting on the community’s enduring connection to the school.
For a sample of Felch Township (one of the 4 townships voting on the North Dickinson Sinking Fund Millage Proposal) visit:
