County voters will decide the fate of three extra-voted millage proposals when they go to the polls.
Two proposals on the ballot that would impact residents — young and old — an early childhood service millage and a millage to support county senior services.
This is the second time the early childhood millage has been put before voters. The first time, in November 2019, the request passed by a slim, 99-vote margin, 50.75% to 49.25%.
This year’s proposal, also a five-year request, is for up to .2530 mills, up from the Headlee reduced rate of .2458.
According to ballot language, the purpose of the millage is to fund the development, implementation, coordination and monitoring of early childhood health, visions, dental, mental and emotional health and related early childhood development. This includes weekly Parenting Communities playgroups and other enrichment activities.
The program, operated through the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, serves children from birth through age 6.
A second county age group, those 65 and older, represent 32.4% of the population, according to Census figures.
Serving this age group is the work of Leelanau County Senior Services, which is seeking a twoyear, .32-mill levy to support the county’s oldest residents.
A 2020 millage was reduced to .3134 as a result of the Headlee Amendment to the state Constitution. If approved and collected at .32 mills, the request would generate an estimated $1,154,945 in 2024.
The County Road Commission has a request for a half-mill levy for roads and highway maintenance.
The commission has put this question on the ballot every other year since 1986.
