×

For 2nd time, Alcona County voters reject tax proposal

Craig Johnston

HARRISVILLE — On Tuesday, 2,910 Alcona County voters showed up to tell the county they would not support a countywide property tax proposal, cementing recent budget cuts and forcing the county to continue cutting to reach a positive balance sheet.

Meanwhile, 2,551 voters cast ballots in support of the millage and bringing money back to the county, according to unofficial results.

The county sought 1 mill, or about $50 a year for the owner of $100,000 of property, for a four-year period. On a Facebook page called “Maintain Alcona County,” a post encouraged voters to pass the millage, saying it would roughly cost $1 per week for the average voter to support law enforcement, county services, and building repairs.

Voters, however, decided that was too much to pay.

Alcona County Board Chairman Craig Johnston said it wasn’t the desired outcome, but the board has been working to amend the budget in the event the millage was voted down.

“We are disappointed,” Johnston said, “but we have been working on a budget for a month now, so we’re prepared to make the necessary adjustments in order to continue.”

This is the county’s second attempt at the tax after voters rejected a similar proposal in August.

The August failure triggered a variety of budget cuts to protect the county’s general fund, including the loss of a school resource officer, a correctional officer and a road patrol officer from the county sheriff’s office.

The county also reduced staff at the clerk’s office and withheld federal money usually given to townships for non-taxable federal land. There has also been a marked reduction in funding for local entities such as the Humane Society and the Alcona Recreation Area.

A second failure will mean additional cuts to the Department of Health, the sheriff’s road patrol, the school resource officer, veterans affairs, the Humane Society, the Alcona Recreation Site and continued withholding of the payments for federal lands to townships.

An estimated $755,000 would have been raised from the millage in the first year.

The Alcona County Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting at 10 a.m. today to discuss the election turnout and what it means for Alcona.

Kaitlin Ryan can be reached at kryan@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5693.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today