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Livingston County commissioners place renewal veterans millage on ballot after heated public debate
Summary
After extended public comment and a split over committee process and election timing, the Livingston County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution to place a 0.1117-mill veterans services renewal on the ballot, rejecting a proposed amendment to move the vote to November.
The Livingston County Board of Commissioners voted to place a renewal veterans services millage on the ballot after lengthy public comment and a contested debate over procedure and election timing.
The resolution the board approved sets the millage rate at 0.1117, which Commissioner Wes Nakagiri said qualifies the measure as a renewal rather than a new tax and therefore should improve its chances of passage. Commissioner Frank Sample moved to adopt the committee-authored resolution; the motion carried on a roll call after an amendment to change the election from the August primary to the Nov. 3, 2026 general election failed.
Why it matters: Veterans-service staff and local veterans’ organizations told the board the millage funds a suite of services — from benefit claims assistance to transportation and funeral support — that county veterans rely on. Director Ramon Baca and multiple veteran-service officers described program continuity and said current funding supports outreach, client appointments, and modest burial assistance that combine with state benefits.
What was disputed: The meeting featured sharp disagreement about process. Several speakers, including members of the Livingston County Veterans Council and multiple veterans, criticized Commissioner Nakagiri for altering agenda language and for bypassing or reworking committee recommendations. Nakagiri said his change (including the 0.1117 rate) responded to legal advice and to electability concerns; he also presented data arguing that renewals historically pass at higher rates than new millages and defended reserve-fund targets.
Public testimony provided detail on the services the millage funds. Veteran-service officer Melissa Hinckley said county assistance supplements Michigan’s burial-assistance statute (Public Act 235 of 1911) to provide roughly $1,000 for some families and noted that many funeral costs now exceed $10,000. Multiple veterans described benefits the office helped secure and urged commissioners to maintain or strengthen funding.
Board action and next steps: An amendment by Commissioner Nakagiri to change the election date to Nov. 3, 2026 failed on a roll call. After debate, the board adopted the resolution as presented by the Veterans Services Committee and authored by Director Baca. The board certified ballot language and authorized submission to the clerk for placement on the ballot. The resolution does not change current levies this year; board members repeatedly noted the difference between the millage rate set for the ballot and the amount the county currently levies.
What comes next: The clerk will proceed with certification and ballot preparation. If the proposal is approved by voters at the election specified on the ballot, the millage would fund Livingston County Veteran Services at the approved rate for the period set in the ballot language.
Attribution: Quotes and specific program descriptions in this report come from public testimony at the March 23, 2026 board meeting and from remarks by Director Ramon Baca and Livingston County Veteran Services staff.
