By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
Clare County’s Senior Millage is up for renewal in the primary election August 2.
The millage renewal is .26 cents pers $1,0000 of taxable value.
The average home in Clare County has a taxable value of $40,000 which equates to .90 cents per month or $10.80 per year.
If the renewal is approved by county voters, it will allow Senior Services to continue to provide In- Home Services and Congregate Meals for seniors at two dining centers and home delivered meals to homebound seniors.
Clare County Transportation Millage is the second proposal on the August 2 ballot.
This proposal renews the .5 mills that funds the county-wide Clare County Transit services at the same combined level previously approved by voters. CCTC, located at 1473 Transportation Drive just south of the airport in Harrison, is a private non-profit corporation contracted by Clare County to provide public transportation.
Based on the average taxable value of a home in county — $40,000. The CCTC millage would cost taxpayers about $1.67 per month or $20 per year.
CCTC provide rides to and from places of employment, schools, grocery stores, doctor’s appointments, retail establishments, special events, and food distributions. With the transit’s assistance many of the county’s citizens would be limited by lack of transportation.
Other proposals on the ballot next week include:
Sinking Fund: Farwell School District voters will decide on a .5 (1/2 mill) proposal for the establishment and beginning of a Sinking Fund. The millage, if approved will began an investment fund (savings) for specific repair, construction and remodeling, security issues and technology upgrades. The plus for the approval of this millage, which will raise an estimated $240,000 the first year, is that it will fill the gap as the millage for the 2019 bond decreases, so the taxpayer will not see an increase on their bill and will keep the millage at its present rate of 3 mills for the next two years.
Lincoln Township Law Enforcement and Fire and Rescue Services: Lincoln Township will have three proposals on the ballot next Tuesday. Along with the Sinking Fund for the Farwell School District, a renewal and restored millage of 1.25 mills for ten years to fund law enforcement services is on the ballot. Approval will raise an estimated $126,050 in the first year. A proposal to renew the Lincoln Township Fire and Rescue Services (reduced by Headlee from 1.5 to 1.496 mills) at the original millage rate of 1.5 mills for ten more years will be on the ballot. If approved the millage will raise an estimate $152,272.00 in the first year.
Isabella County Medical Care Facility: A small portion of Clare City voters who live in Isabella County will be asked to vote for 1 mill for ten years raising $2,251,437.00 in the first year to continue to fund operations, maintenance and capital costs of the Isabella County Medical Care Facility.
Hamilton Township Road Maintenance and Improvement: A one mill request for Hamilton Township, if approved, will raise an estimated $60,000 the first year of the three-year proposal.
Grant Township Fire Protection: Voters in Grant Township will be asked to approve the renewal of 1.098 mills for four more years to provide funds for fire protection from the Clare Fire Department. In the first year the millage, if passed, will raise an estimated $120,523.20 in the first year.
Summerfield Township Road Millage: A 1.930 mill request will continue the road millage for five more years in Summerfield Township. If approved the millage will raise an estimated $44,948.81 in the first year.
Winterfield Township McBain Agricultural School Operating millage renewal: A portion of Winterfield Township voters in the McBain School District will vote on a four-year renewal of the 18 mill non-homestead millage, which if approved will raise $1,514,405 in the first year.