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Rothbury council lowers 2025 millage to 4.9309 after equalization increase
Summary
At its May 20 meeting the Village of Rothbury council voted 6–0 (one absent) to lower the 2025 millage from 5.073 to 4.9309, a change Treasurer Deb Murphy said would reduce residents' tax rates while preserving budgeted revenue because taxable values rose.
The Village of Rothbury council voted on May 20 to reduce the 2025 millage rate from 5.073 to 4.9309 after Treasurer Deb Murphy reported updated Equalization values that raised property valuations.
Treasurer Deb Murphy told the council the village’s previously approved 2025–26 budget used a millage of 5.073. With the Equalization update, Murphy said taxable values increased enough that the village could lower the millage to 4.9309 and still capture more than the budgeted revenue for the fiscal year while reducing the tax rate for residents. Councilmember Autum Drake moved to set the 2025 millage at 4.9309; Mike Harris seconded. The motion passed, 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
The change was recorded as a formal motion during the meeting and will apply to the 2025 tax rate calculations for the Village of Rothbury. The council did not report any amendments to the budget ordinance during the meeting; Treasurer Murphy’s presentation was the basis for the council’s action.
Other business at the meeting included routine reports and local operational items. Police Chief Ethan Walker presented the monthly police report. Planning Commission updates were given by Councilmember Mike Harris, including notice that the owner of Green Lawn Trailer Park submitted a clean‑up action plan to Zoning. Brandy Williams, speaking for the Recreation Department on behalf of Val Garcia, said softball teams may apply a $300 field‑use fee toward improvements at Czarny Field to make it playable this season; the council agreed.
Williams also reported there will be no Memorial Day services this year following the death of longtime officiant Bill Wagner and low volunteer response; staff plan to rework the program for 2026. She told the council the village received an offer from Consumers Energy to expand an easement by 20 feet on each side of certain power lines; Williams said that proposed expansion conflicts with a DNR‑related grant recently awarded for improvements at Czarny Park. The village attorney and consulting firm Prein & Newhof, she said, are working with Consumers Energy and the DNR to find a resolution.
Treasurer Deb Murphy reported the Rothbury Community Center is booked for the summer, and President Vern Talmadge provided a Department of Public Works update, noting crews are repairing irrigation lines. The council reviewed a draft employee handbook and agreed to revisit it next month. Autum Drake moved to pay the bills; Mike Harris seconded and the motion passed 6–0 with one absent. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Votes at a glance
- Reduction of 2025 millage to 4.9309 (motion: Autum Drake; second: Mike Harris) — Outcome: approved, 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. - Pay bills (motion: Autum Drake; second: Mike Harris) — Outcome: approved, 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent.
