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Alpena County committee calls May 5 special election to reauthorize 911 surcharge
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Summary
The county Finance Ways & Means Committee recommended adoption of Resolution #26-03 to place a May 5, 2026 special election on the ballot asking voters to reauthorize a monthly 911 surcharge of up to $3.00 for Jan. 1, 2027–Dec. 31, 2032 to fund 911 operations; the committee noted the election must be certified by May 15 so the state 911 office can be notified.
The Alpena County Finance Ways & Means Committee on Feb. 10 recommended a special election on May 5, 2026 to reauthorize the county’s 911 operating surcharge.
Central Dispatch Director Kim Elkie told the committee there is not enough time to place the surcharge renewal on the August or November ballots and that the special election must be completed and certified so the county can submit required reporting to the state 911 office by May 15. Elkie said the county previously held a similar special election in 2021 and that Central Dispatch will cover the cost of the election this year as it did previously.
The resolution before the committee, recorded as Resolution #26-03, would place on the May 5 ballot a proposal asking electors whether Alpena County may continue to assess a monthly surcharge of up to $3.00 on landline, wireless and VoIP service suppliers within county boundaries to be used exclusively for 911 emergency telephone answering and dispatch services, including facilities, equipment and operations. If approved by voters, the proposed levy would run from Jan. 1, 2027 through Dec. 31, 2032.
The committee recommended adopting Resolution #26-03. The motion to recommend the special election and adopt the resolution was moved by Commissioner William LaHaie, supported by Commissioner Dan Ludlow, and approved by roll call vote with Commissioners LaHaie, Ludlow, Brenda Fournier, Todd Britton, Travis Konarzewski, John Kozlowski and Bill Peterson recorded as voting yes; no commissioners voted no and Commissioner Lucille Bray was excused.
The county clerk was directed to publish the legally required notices of the last day to register and the full ballot language and to take other actions required by Michigan election law to call and run the special election.
Next steps: the county clerk will publish the registration and ballot notices in The Alpena News as required, and Central Dispatch will proceed with preparations for the May 5 special election so the county can meet the May 15 certification deadline.