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Millage proposals on ballot for Saginaw County voters
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Friday, July 18, 2008 11:48 PM EDT
SAGINAW COUNTY - Voters in Saginaw County will see two millage proposals when they hit the polls Aug. 5.
The two proposals are changes in millages, or property tax rates.
The first proposal deals with renewing and increasing the current millage of the Saginaw County Commission on Aging. If it passes, the current millage of 0.33 will increase to 0.43 mills.
Saginaw County Controller Marc McGill said the 33-percent increase would not take effect until December 2009.
“Right now the millage generates over $1 million in revenue for the commission,” McGill said. “That makes up about 43 percent of their budget. (If passed) the new millage will generate $2.3 million.”
McGill also said the commission's costs to provide numerous services to the people will continue to increase and surpass the current revenue.
The second proposal voters will see is a millage decrease for the Saginaw County HealthSource.
If it is passed, the millage will decrease from 0.2496 mills to 0.2 mills. The proposed mill would also be levied in 2009, and would last for four years.
McGill, who also serves on the HealthSource board, said he sees the decrease as a sign that it will no longer be necessary in years to come.
“The millage only brings in 3.5 percent (of the total budget),” he said. “The new one would bring it to just under 3 (percent). It's a very small part of the budget. Usually we renew it for 10 years, but we're only doing four because we're thinking when we get a new facility that we'll likely never need the millage again.”
McGill explained if voters agree with the decreased millage for HealthSource, they should vote yes in the election. He said he expects to see it pass because it means fewer taxes on the voters.
- Contact Nathan Bruttell at 725-5136 extension 231 or nbruttellarguspress@gmail.com