Houghton County board approves 0.3268‑mill operating increase, sets 2023 millage at 6.2220

The Houghton County Board of Commissioners voted June 13 to raise the county operating millage by 0.3268 mills, setting the 2023 operating rate at 6.2220 mills.

At a Truth in Taxation hearing, Interim Equalization Director Jaikob Djerf presented the calculations the county used to justify the hearing. He said Houghton County is required to hold the hearing "in order to collect the maximum allowable millage rate of 6.2220 mills for the 2023 levy," and provided supporting figures including a Millage Reduction Fraction of 1.0000, a Base Tax Fraction of 0.9475 and a 2023 taxable value of $1,148,188,883. After applying the Base Tax Fraction, Djerf reported an adjusted base tax rate of approximately 5.89535 mills; the 0.3268‑mill difference was projected to produce about $375,228 more in operating revenue than a no‑hearing levy.

A member of the public asked whether the $375,228 means an increase to taxpayers; Djerf clarified the figure refers to increased county operating revenue, not a flat per‑taxpayer charge as described in some media coverage.

After the hearing the board adopted Resolution #23‑12 to set the 2023 operating rate at 6.2220 mills. The resolution passed on a roll call vote: Commissioners Glenn Anderson, Roy Britz, Tom Tikkanen and Gretchen Janssen voted yes; Joel Keranen was absent.

The board also approved a separate administrative resolution (Resolution #2023‑11) directing collection of the county allocated summer property tax levy under Public Act 357 of 2004 and asked a typographical correction be made to the certification language before finalizing documentation.

The board approved the millage increase by formal vote; the action will be reflected on the county’s July tax levy and recorded in the certified minutes. The board adjourned the regular meeting at 5:22 p.m.