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Calhoun County board approves 2026 tax resolution; Headlee rollback to cut $1.1 million from general fund
Summary
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners on May 21 approved the county's statutorily required 2026 summer and winter property tax resolution. Assistant County Administrator Megan Banning said a Headlee Amendment rollback will reduce the county general fund by $1.1 million for 2026; the measure passed 5-0 with two absent.
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners approved a 2026 property tax resolution on May 21 that Assistant County Administrator Megan Banning said is statutorily required by the State of Michigan and will reduce the county's general fund by $1.1 million for 2026.
"This year's Headlee Amendment Rollback will represent a loss of $1.1 million to the County's general fund for 2026," Banning told commissioners during the meeting, noting the change is driven by the state's rollback calculation. She also said the finalization of the 2025 audit is occurring now, which leads into the 2027 budget season.
Commissioner Matt Saxton added that the decrease in the general fund since 2014 "has compounded to many millions of dollars," underscoring the budget pressure the county faces going into the next budget cycle.
The board approved the measure as Res.066-2026 on a roll-call vote: yes — Commissioners Derek King, Al Morehart, Dominic Oo, Dan Strowbridge and Matt Saxton (5); absent/excused — Commissioners Monique French and Gary Tompkins (2). The motion carried.
The resolution imposes the county's summer and winter property tax rates as required by state law; county staff did not present alternative rate options during the meeting. The change will be reflected in the county's 2026 revenue projections and factored into planning for the 2027 budget, officials said.
Deputy Equalization Director Tom Scott was present at the meeting to answer technical questions but did not provide additional figures beyond Banning's statement.
The board took no separate action at the meeting to offset the projected general-fund loss beyond noting the budgetary implications; county administration indicated the audit and upcoming budget season will be the venue for further adjustments.
