Algonac approves millage for fire services in the city
By Barb Pert Templeton
A recent meeting of the Algonac City Council had officials adopting Resolution #2026-05 which set the annual millage rate for a special assessment district for the city’s fire services.
The resolution adopted at a June 2 council meeting established the levy and once again set the rate at one- mil for year three of the special assessment.
A reading of the resolution in the meeting packet sated that the “district will consist of all lands and premises within the municipal boundaries of the city until terminated by the city council and with the council determining annually a levy amount between zero (0) and (5) mills, with one mill assessed in years one and two.”
The special assessment for fire services in the city was approved by voters in 2024.
In a memo in the meeting packet City Manager Artie Bryson noted that based upon current taxable real and personal properties the estimate being (2,106) the estimate cost to the average residential home with a $70,400 taxable value would be $70.40 per year. The amount to be collected by the special assessment was estimated to be $154,218.
The special assessment will be added to the summer tax bill as a separate line item.
The overall millage rate for Algonac remains the lowest of all the cities in St. Clair County. Three of the eight cities and 18 of the 23 townships in St. Clair County have similar funding mechanisms for police and/or fire services.
The motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Cathy Harris and supported by Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey. Councilman Ed Carter was absent from the June 2 meeting.
Harris commented that the city’s fire department is top notch and Mayor Rocky Gillis agreed.
“The only thing I’ve got to say is our fire department is, I think, top notch, I think there is only one other fire department in St. Clair County that has an ISO rating of three and that’s Port Huron which is a full-time, 24/7 staffed fire department,” Gillis said. “So, we have a top-rated fire department.”
“Yes, we do,” Davey said.
Referring to Fire Chief Joe Doan in the audience at the recent meeting Gillis said I believe it’s a three-minute response time on average. Doan confirmed yes, that was the case.
“That’s awesome,” Councilman Jake Skarbek said.
“When you consider that if you call 911 someone will be at your door in three-minutes that is phenomenal,” Gillis added.
A public hearing on the special assessment districted was held on May 19 during a regular Algonac City Council meeting.
Background: At a primary election in Feb. 2024 the Fire Special Assessment District Proposal was approved by voters with 630 yes votes and 390 no votes. The special assessment district supports fire department services via Public Act 33 of 1951 which permits the city of Algonac to establish a Special Assessment District within its municipal boundaries.
