County voters to decide on four millage proposals in August.

County voters to decide on four millage proposals in August.

#Election2018

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — Mason County voters will be asked to approved four countywide millage requests during the Aug. 7 Primary Election. The county board of commissioners approved requests today, Tuesday, May 15, to place the issues on the ballot.

Two of the millage requests — Oakview Medical Care Facility and Mason County Jail operations — are renewals for 10 years. The Mason County Council on Aging is asking for a six year renewal to fund operations and programs of senior citizen centers. The Mason County Sheriff’s Office is requesting an eight year millage to fund additional road patrol deputies.

Oakview Medical Care Facility is requesting a renewal of up to .9715 of a mill for 10 years. If approved, the renewal is expected continue to provide funds for the county-owned facility for operation, maintenance and capital costs. The first year is expected to raise $1,826,882.

The Mason County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the renewal of up to .58 of a mill for 10 years. If approved, the renewed expected to provide $1,090,676 during its first year for operations of the jail.

The Mason County Council on Aging is requesting the renewal of up to .2979 of a mill for six years for senior citizens centers and programs. If approved, the renewal is expected to raise about $560,194 in 2018.

The voters will also be asked to approve a new request of up to .3 of a mill for eight years to provide four additional road patrol deputies to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.  Read more here.

A millage rate of .3 will raise between $534,939 to $706,878 during its duration. According to estimates from Mason County Administrator Fabian Knizacky, the 2019 would require $706,878, or .38 mill. The county’s Finance Committee voted to use $150,000 from the general fund — contingent on the millage passing — for the first year to offset costs and keep the millage rate at or below .30.

A mill is $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. On a home with a taxable value of $100,000, the cost would be $30 per year.

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