Roscommon County dispatch director asks commissioners to restore 1‑mill operating levy

Jessica Gilbert, director of Roscommon County Central Dispatch, told the county board April 8 she is seeking support to place a restoration of the center’s operating millage on the August ballot to return it to its original 1 mill level and compensate for the Headlee rollback. Gilbert said the dispatch center handled more than 38,000 total calls in 2025 and that restoration is needed to maintain staffing, technology and operations.

"This initiative would restore our operating millage to its original 1 mill, correcting for the Headlee rollback," Gilbert said in the board chambers. Commissioners indicated support for advancing the item toward the next meeting where a formal ballot action could be considered; the board noted the authority board had already approved placing the measure before the county authority board and that the next step is county action to place it on the ballot.