Michigan’s primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 4 includes candidates for governor, senator, congressional representative and more. But for voters in Charlevoix County, they could also see several local proposals on their ballots.
See which county, library and township items will be up for vote on Election Day.
Charlevoix County
There are four countywide ballot items in the Aug. 4 election.
The first is a transit millage, which asks voters to restore a .25 mill in order to provide funding for the county’s transit system.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the expired previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Charlevoix County of 0.25 mills ($0.25 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced to 0.2425 mills ($0.2425 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at up to 0.25 mills and levied for a period of four years, 2026 through 2029, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for the operation of the County Transit System? If approved and levied in its entirety, it is estimated that the .25 mills would raise an estimated $833,614 for the county in the first year of collection.”
Voters will also consider a parks millage renewal, which goes towards the operation and improvement of parks throughout the county.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the expired previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Charlevoix County of 0.15 mills ($0.15 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced to 0.1454 mills ($0.1454 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at up to 0.15 mills and levied for a period of four years, 2026 through 2029, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for the operation and capital improvements of the county’s parks and for funding the county program to improve other parks within the county? If approved and levied in its entirety, it is estimated that the .15 mills would raise an estimated $500,169 for the county in the first year of collection.”
The veterans millage renewal calls for a .1 mill over a four-year period to fund the operations of the county’s Veterans Affairs department.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the expired previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Charlevoix County of 0.10 mills ($0.10 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced to 0.0983 mills ($0.0983 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at up to 0.10 mills and levied for a period of four years, 2026 through 2029, inclusive, for the purpose of authorizing Charlevoix County to equip, operate, maintain, to provide monetary support and assistance services to veterans through the County of Charlevoix Veterans Affairs department. If approved and levied in its entirety, it is estimated that the .1 mills would raise an estimated $333,446 for the county in the first year of collection.”
There is also a proposal for the establishment of separate tax limitations for a five-year period.
The ballot language reads: “Shall separate tax limitations be established for a period of five years 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030 and 2031, inclusive, or until altered by the voters of the county, for the County of Charlevoix and the townships and intermediate school districts within the county, the aggregate of which shall not exceed 5.9 mills as follows: County of Charlevoix 4.70 mills, townships 1 mill, intermediate school district .20 mills, for a total of 5.90 mills.
Crooked Tree District Library
Voters within the Crooked Tree District Library’s service area will decide whether to renew a millage that provides funding for all library purposes authorized by law.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the Crooked Tree District Library, County of Charlevoix, State of Michigan, be authorized to levy a millage annually in an amount not to exceed .4909 mill ($0.4909 per each $1,000 of taxable value), which is a renewal of the previously authorized millage rate that expired in 2025, against all taxable property within the Crooked Tree District Library district for a period of five years, 2026 through 2030, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for all district library purposes authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue the Crooked Tree District Library will collect in the first year of levy (2026) if the millage is approved and levied by the library is approximately $237,000.”
Beaver Island District Library
The Beaver Island District Library is also asking voters to consider a millage renewal.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the Beaver Island District Library, County of Charlevoix, State of Michigan, be authorized to levy a millage annually in an amount not to exceed 1 mill ($1 per each $1,000 of taxable value), of which .9702 mill is a renewal of the previously authorized millage rate that expired in 2025 and .0298 mill is new additional millage to restore the millage rate lost as a result of the Headlee Amendment millage reductions, against all taxable property within the Beaver Island District Library district for a period of four years, 2026 through 2029, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for all district library purposes authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue the Beaver Island District Library will collect in the first year of levy (2026) if the millage is approved and levied by the library is approximately $159,000.”
Lake Charlevoix EMS Authority
Voters in the Lake Charlevoix EMS Authority service area, which includes Hayes, Charlevoix, Marion, and Norwood townships and the City of Charlevoix, will see a millage renewal to provide funding for ambulance services.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the expired previous voted tax increase as authorized by Act 57 of 1988 of 1.5 mills ($1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced to 1.4239 mills ($1.4239 per $1,000 of taxable value) by required constitutional rollbacks, be renewed at 1.4239 mills and increased by 0.5 mills to approve a total levy of up to 1.9239 mills ($1.9239 per $1,000 of taxable value) on all taxable property within the territorial limits of the Lake Charlevoix Emergency Medical Service Authority which is currently composed of Hayes Township, Charlevoix Township, Marion Township, Norwood Township and the City of Charlevoix, Charlevoix County, Michigan, to be levied for three years, 2026 through 2028 inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for operating, equipping and maintaining ambulance services within the territorial limits of the authority, raising an estimated up to $2,166,352.13 in the first year the millage is levied?”
Boyne Valley Township
There are two ballot items for Boyne Valley Township voters.
The first is a fire millage renewal to provide funding for the Boyne Valley Township Fire/Rescue Department.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the previously authorized millage for operating, maintaining and equipping the Boyne Valley Township Fire/Rescue Department, as reduced by required millage rollbacks to .9682 mills ($0.9682 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed at .9682 mills and levied for four years, 2026 through 2029, inclusive, raising an estimated $218,317 in 2026?”
The second items asks voters to consider a Transfer Station millage renewal for a four-year period.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the previously authorized Transfer Station millage of .9866 mills ($0.9866 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced by the required millage rollbacks to .9682 mills ($0.9682 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed at .9682 mills and levied for four years, 2026 through 2029, inclusive, for the purpose of operating the Boyne Valley Township Transfer Station, including renting or purchasing the property on which the transfer station is located within Boyne Valley Township, raising an estimated $218,318 in 2026?”
Hudson Township
Voters in Hudson Township will see a road millage renewal request and a proposal to increase the fire and EMS millage.
The road millage calls for renewing the existing 2 mills, which provides funding for road improvements.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the previously voted increase in the 15 mill tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Hudson Township be renewed at and increased up to the original voted 2 mills ($2 per $1,000 of taxable value) for four years, 2026 through 2029 inclusive, for the purpose of road maintenance and improvements; and shall the township levy such renewal in millage for said purpose? If approved and levied in its entirety, this millage would raise an estimated $119,572 in its first year.”
The township is also asking to increase funding for fire protection and emergency medical services by up to 2 mills.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Hudson Township be increased up to 2 mills ($2 per $1,000 of taxable value) for the period of four years, 2026 through 2029 inclusive, for the furnishing of fire protection and emergency medical services, apparatus, equipment and housing in Hudson Township and contracted ambulance service; and shall the township levy such increase in millage for said purpose? If approved and levied in its entirety, this millage would raise an estimated $119,572 its first year.”
Melrose Township
Melrose Township voters will decide four ballot items on Aug. 4.
The first is a fire millage renewal that provides funding for fire department operations.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the previously expired voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Melrose Township of up to 0.5 mills ($.50 per $1,000 of taxable value), as reduced to .4895 mills by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at and increased up to 0.5 mills and levied for four years, 2026 through 2029 inclusive, for the purpose of fire department operations raising an estimated $120,773 in the first year that the millage is levied?”
Voters are also asked to consider renewing the fire department’s sinking fund.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the previously expired voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Melrose Township of up to 0.5 mills ($.50 per $1,000 of taxable value), as reduced to .4895 mills by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at and increased up to 0.5 mills and levied for four years, 2026 through 2029 inclusive, for the purpose of fire department capital expenditures, raising an estimated $120,773 in the first year that the millage is levied?”
A road millage renewal calls for 1 mill over a four-year period to fund road construction and maintenance.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the previously expired voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Melrose Township of up to 1 mills ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value), as reduced to .9792 mills by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at and increased up to 1 mills and levied for four years, 2026 through 2029 inclusive, for the construction and maintenance of township roads, raising an estimated $241,578 in the first year that the millage is levied?”
The final item asks for an increase of one-half mill to fund ambulance services.
The ballot language reads: “Shall Melrose Township impose an increase of up to .5 mills ($.50 per $1,000 of taxable value), in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution and levy it for four years, 2026 through 2029 inclusive, for the purpose of providing ambulance services in the township? If approved and levied, this millage would raise an estimated $127,385 in the first year that the millage is levied, of which a portion may be distributed to such other local units of government or others as the township board determines appropriate?”
Peaine Township
Four local items on Peaine Township ballots will be decided on Aug. 4.
The first is a renewal of an airport millage that funds operations and maintenance.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the previously expired voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Peaine Township of up to .75 mills ($.75 per $1,000 of taxable value), as reduced to .7311 mills ($.7311 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at and increased up to .75 mills and levied for three years, 2026 through 2028 inclusive, for the purpose of airport operation and maintenance, the revenues of which will be distributed to the Beaver Island Airport Commission, raising an estimated $68,953 in the first year that the millage is levied?”
There is also a proposal to renew the township’s emergency medical services millage.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the previously expired voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Peaine Township of up to 3 mills ($3 per $1,000 of taxable value), as reduced to 2.9245 mills ($2.9245 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at and increased up to 3 mills and levied for three years, 2026 through 2028 inclusive, for the provision of emergency medical services in the township, the revenues of which will be distributed to the Beaver Island Emergency Services Authority, raising an estimated $275,812 in the first year that the millage is levied?”
There are two road-related proposals on the township’s ballot. The first asks to renew 1 mill for road construction and maintenance for a three-year period.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the previously expired voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Peaine Township of up to 1 mills ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value), as reduced to .9748 mills ($.9478 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at and increased up to 1 mills and levied for three years, 2026 through 2028 inclusive, for the construction and maintenance of township roads, the revenues of which will be distributed to Peaine Township, raising an estimated $91,937 in the first year that the millage is levied?”
The second road item asks for an increase in the township’s millage to a total of 2 mills, when it is combined with the proposed road millage renewal.
The ballot language reads: “Shall the previously expired voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Peaine Township of up to 1 mills ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value), as reduced to .9748 mills ($.9478 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be increased by up to 1 mills and levied for three years, 2026 through 2028 inclusive, for the construction and maintenance of township roads, the revenues of which will be distributed to Peaine Township, raising an estimated $91,937 in the first year that the millage is levied?”
To find out more about upcoming elections, visit michigan.gov/sos/elections.
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: August primary preview: What’s on the ballot in Charlevoix County?
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review | USA TODAY Network
