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Leelanau County commissioners set 2026 county operating millage at up to 3.2002, direct $200,000 to rainy‑day fund
Summary
After debate about tax relief and county fiscal resilience, the board recommended setting the 2026 county operating millage at no more than 3.2002 and instructed that $200,000 be included as a rainy‑day fund as part of the budget process; the final recommendation passed on a 4-3 vote.
Leelanau County commissioners debated and then recommended a 2026 county operating millage not to exceed the maximum allowable levy of 3.2002, and directed that $200,000 be set aside as a rainy‑day fund during the upcoming budget process. The final, amended recommendation passed with a 4-3 vote.
Equalization Director Andrew Giguere's calculations, presented by Administrator Jim Dyer, showed the county taxable value increased by over $242 million from 2025, producing a rollback that results in an aggregate tax reduction compared with 2025 of about $221,639.62 at the proposed rate. Commissioner William Bunek argued for lowering the rate to provide tax relief; Commissioner Alan Campbell voiced concern about the county's structural budget shortfall and proposed designating $200,000 to contingency to build reserves. Commissioner Ty Wessell and others said cutting further without identifying offsets would harm county services.
After a sequence of motions and amendments, including a failed proposal to split a previous Brownfield forfeiture, the board approved the amendment by which the requested millage would not exceed 3.2002 and the $200,000 rainy‑day designation would be included in the budget process. The recommendation moves to the regular session for final levy-setting procedures.
Next steps: the Equalization Director will return the completed L-4029 form to the county for processing and the board will consider budget allocations during the formal budget process.
