Board approves county, senior, museum and veterans millages but defers Fairview after utilization concerns

County staff presented recommended millage rates and supporting letters for operating, senior services, museum services, veterans and Fairview County Home. Commissioner Levens moved to accept the submissions and asked to separate Fairview for further consideration, citing utilization data that indicated Fairview — a 36‑bed facility — operated at roughly one‑third capacity for much of 2025. Levens said he had calculated utilization benchmarks and questioned continued funding without a plan to raise occupancy or consider alternatives.

During debate commissioners discussed timing: the county operating millage must be set for summer collection while other millages are winter collection and can be revised later. County staff and veterans' program representatives explained modest increases for veterans would support emergency assistance and personnel costs. After discussion the board voted to approve the county general, senior citizen, museum and veterans millages and to reserve the Fairview millage for separate action. The vote on the approved millages passed on roll call; Fairview received no motion and will return to the board for further review.