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Voters in Mecosta, Osceola and Lake counties will have the opportunity to make their voices heard in several elections in 2022.
Pioneer image/Ronald DeBrock
OSCEOLA COUNTY — Voters in Osceola County will be asked to decide whether or not they support additional millages when they vote Tuesday, Aug 2.
The following countywide millages will be on the ballot:
- A Road Patrol millage renewal to levy up to 1.0 mill, including an additional levy up to 1.0 mill for school resource officers and operations; and
- An MSU Extension millage to levy up to 0.19 mills.
The Road Patrol millage proposal states that the millage is for the purpose of continuing operations and to sustain the previously voter approved addition of six deputies, vehicles and equipment.
The same millage level previously approved by the voters in 1994, 1998, 2004, and in 2010, and 2016, will be continued and renewed, and the county be authorized to levy, up to 1 mill, or $1 per $1,000 of taxable value, for a period of six years, 2022 through 2027, inclusive, the proposal states.
The previously approved road patrol millage expired in December 2021.
County road patrol services are of a substantial benefit to the community and the board of commissioners has determined that it is appropriate to submit a millage renewal proposition to the electors of the county to determine whether or not they desire to continue to raise funds for the purpose of the continued operations of the road patrol to sustain the voter approved addition of road deputies, vehicles and equipment, the approved resolution states.
If approved and levied in full, this millage will raise an estimated $700,000 per year.
As required by law, a small portion of the millage may also be disbursed to the Downtown Development Authorities of the Cities of Evart and Reed City, and Richmond Township, and the City of Evart Local Development Finance Authority.
Voter will also be asked to support an additional road patrol levy of 1 mil for the purpose of funding a school resource officer. This would add an additional assessment of $1 per $1,000 of property evaluation.
The MSU Extension millage would be for the purpose of sustaining 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, health and nutrition and other community education programs throughout Osceola County, according to the ballot language.
The total amount of ad valorem taxes imposed, if approved, would result in a new levy of up to 0.19 mills, or $0.19 per $1,000 of taxable valuation, for a period of four years, 2022 to 2025, inclusive.
This levy is estimated to raise around $150,000 for MSU Extension programs.
Steadily decreasing revenues have severely limited the county’s ability to support these programs and the board of commissioners seeks to have the voters determine whether or not they support raising funds for the programs through the MSU Extension by approving a millage, the approved resolution said.
If approved, the total millage levied by the county will increase by 1.19 mills.
A request from the county veterans’ services department to place a proposal for a 0.20 millage for four years on the ballot was voted down by the board.
For additional information regarding the millage proposals visit osecola-county.org or call 231-832-3261.
