Benzie County places general operating and senior-services millages on August ballot

The Benzie County Board of Commissioners voted May 14 to place two millage proposals on the Aug. 6, 2024, primary ballot: a resolution to change the duration of the county general operating millage (Resolution 2024-012) and a measure to authorize a senior services millage for the county Commission on Aging (Resolution 2024-014). The board adopted the general operating millage language on a 5–1 roll-call vote; Commissioner Sauer voted no. The senior-services millage was adopted unanimously by the six voting commissioners present (Commissioner Jeannot was excused).

Randy Rice, who answered commissioners’ questions and serves as chair of the county’s Tax Advisory Committee, was thanked by Chair Bob Roelofs and Commissioner Sauer for his work on the millage language. The board recorded the motions and roll-call results during its regular session; both measures will appear on the Aug. 6 primary ballot for voter consideration.

Why it matters: the general operating millage change would alter how the county’s primary operating levy is authorized (replacing its indefinite status), and the senior-services millage would fund local programs for older residents through the county Commission on Aging. Both steps move the measures from board approval to the ballot, where voters will decide on Aug. 6.

The board’s actions follow standard procedure to certify ballot language and do not, by themselves, change tax rates. The county clerk and election officials will carry the board-certified language forward to the August primary ballot process.