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Benzie County board adopts Truth in Taxation rate, affirms emergency rooftop replacement and authorizes settlement talks
Summary
At its June 10 meeting in Beulah the Benzie County Board of Commissioners adopted a Headlee-based General Operating millage rate (Resolution 2025-013), affirmed an emergency $74,910 rooftop-unit replacement, authorized settlement negotiations on a jail-related MMRMA claim, and approved an airport MOU and conditional FY2025–26 airport budget.
The Benzie County Board of Commissioners on June 10 adopted a Truth in Taxation millage rate, approved several budget and operational measures and authorized county staff to enter settlement negotiations related to an MMRMA claim.
At a public hearing, Equalization Director Brianne Lindsay said the county will levy the maximum Headlee-based rate of 3.2399, and County Administrator Katie Zeits clarified the published legal notice is the statutorily required wording. Zeits said, "It's not an increase in taxes, but an increase from zero. It really is a decrease from last year." Chair Art Jeannot asked that the county hold a public session explaining how taxes work; the board agreed to public Tax Limitation Advisory Committee meetings on July 8 and Aug. 5, 2025, and to publish notice in the local newspaper.
Following the hearing the board adopted Resolution 2025-013 to set the General Operating millage rate (motion by Commissioner Markey; seconded by Commissioner Davis). The roll call vote was unanimous.
On finance matters, the board approved payment of county bills totaling $612,147.26 for the May 23–June 5, 2025 period (motion by Markey; seconded by Nye; roll call unanimous).
The board also affirmed an emergency procurement for the Government Center: administration accepted Hurst Mechanical's proposal to replace one rooftop HVAC unit at $74,910, to be paid from Capital Projects and ARPA funds. The affirmation was made by motion (Sauer) and carried unanimously.
The board entered closed session under MCL 15.268(1)(h) to discuss privileged attorney–client communications concerning MMRMA Claim Number 2302757 (David Wenkel and the Benzie County Sheriff’s Office). After returning to open session, commissioners authorized the County Administrator, the Undersheriff and the chair to negotiate a possible settlement with assigned counsel Cummings McClorey Davis and Acho (motion by Sauer; seconded by Trigg). The motion passed unanimously.
On airport matters, the board authorized for signatures a Memorandum of Understanding for the Frankfort City–County Airport Authority that includes Crystal Lake Township, subject to final approval by member representatives and form review by legal counsel. The board also approved the airport authority’s FY 2025–26 budget contingent on final adoption by the Airport Authority Board (motions carried unanimously).
The board discussed the Point Betsie Light Station shoreline protection project; county staff said a construction RFP closes July 2, 2025, and the board agreed to revisit the item in 30 days once cost estimates are clearer.
County administration also received authorization to apply for a COPS grant, in partnership with Benzie Central and Frankfort schools, to improve school-bus safety; the schools will provide any required matching funds and administration is authorized to sign the application (motion by Nye; seconded by Davis).
The board moved its June 10 study session to June 24, 2025, and reappointed Jason Barnard to a three-year term on the Benzie County Land Bank through April 5, 2028. Commissioners delivered routine reports on recent meetings and local events; County Administrator Katie Zeits outlined ongoing grant management and upcoming budget work, including a special meeting on June 16, 2025.
The meeting presented correspondence including a Benzie Transportation flyer and audit, the state equalized values report and health department minutes, and adjourned at 12:56 p.m.
Votes at a glance • Adopt agenda as presented — motion carried (unanimous). • Approve May 27, 2025 minutes — motion carried (unanimous). • Adopt Resolution 2025-013 (Truth in Taxation; General Operating millage rate 3.2399) — adopted (Ayes 7, Nays 0). • Approve bills (May 23–June 5, 2025) — $612,147.26 approved (Ayes 7, Nays 0). • Affirm emergency rooftop-unit procurement (Hurst Mechanical) — $74,910 affirmed (Ayes 7, Nays 0). • Enter closed session (MCL 15.268(1)(h)) — approved (Ayes 7, Nays 0); later authorize settlement negotiations re Claim 2302757 — authorized (Ayes 7, Nays 0). • Authorize Airport Authority MOU signatures (subject to form and member approvals) — approved (Ayes 7, Nays 0). • Approve FY2025–26 Airport Authority budget (contingent on airport board adoption) — approved (Ayes 7, Nays 0). • Authorize COPS grant submission (Benzie Central & Frankfort Schools match) — authorized (Ayes 7, Nays 0). • Move study session to June 24, 2025 — approved (unanimous). • Reappoint Jason Barnard to Land Bank through 4/5/2028 — approved (unanimous).
What happens next: The Tax Limitation Advisory Committee meetings (July 8 and Aug. 5) will provide public explanation of tax language; the Point Betsie shoreline RFP closes July 2 and the board will revisit the item in 30 days; the special budget meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2025.
