Courttesy art

ROGERS CITY – Presque Isle County voters will decide during the Aug. 4 primary election whether to renew a 0.75-mill levy dedicated to services for the county’s senior citizens.

The proposal asks: Shall Presque Isle County levy .75 of one mill – equal to 75 cents per $1,000 of taxable value – on all real and personal property for six years, from 2026 through 2032, with proceeds paid to the Presque Isle County Council on Aging (PICCOA). The funds would support planning, coordinating, evaluating and providing services to residents 60 years of age or older. It is a renewal of a previously authorized millage that expired in 2025. If fully levied in the first year, it is estimated to raise approximately $889,971 based on 2024 taxable values according to Ballotpedia.com.

A small portion of the revenue collected on properties within the Downtown Development Districts of Rogers City and Onaway would be captured by those authorities, estimated at $3,400 in the first year, in accordance with state law.

According to information published in the Presque Isle Senior Newsletter, PICCOA, is a nonprofit organization with centers in Posen and Onaway that has served county seniors since 1974. The council provides a broad array of services aimed at helping older adults age in place with independence and dignity. Key programs include transportation, in-home assistance, nutrition services and community activities.

Transportation is a cornerstone: PICCOA offers rides for medical and dental appointments, errands, grocery shopping and other essential destinations. In a recent reporting period, the program provided 213 rides to 57 riders. Free medical transport is available Monday through Friday, with dedicated service for Onaway residents on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The program operates year-round, heavily reliant on dedicated millage funding.

Nutrition programs deliver substantial support. Home-delivered meals reached 97 clients with 2,765 meals in one month, while congregate meals served 63 clients with 618 meals. These efforts supplement federal and state grants, with donations helping fill gaps.

According to Piccoa.org: In-home services assist 25 clients with homemaker tasks, personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming), respite for caregivers and other supportive services that enable seniors to remain in their homes. Additional offerings include senior companion programs, kinship/grandparent support, health screenings, nutrition education, Medicare/Medicaid assistance, commodities distribution, fitness classes (such as Tai Chi), recreational activities (bingo, cards, bus trips), legal referrals and a medical loan closet.

PICCOA receives funding from multiple sources, including the senior services millage, a separate transportation millage, grants from the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Region 9 Area Agency on Aging, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and public contributions. The senior millage represents a stable local funding stream critical to operations.

if the renewal fails, services could face significant cuts. Without the estimated $890,000 annually, the organization would likely need to reduce transportation routes, shorten waitlists for in-home care and meals, scale back community programs or increase reliance on limited grants and donations. Many seniors, particularly those in rural areas with few alternatives, could lose access to essential support for medical visits, nutrition and daily living assistance. This could accelerate institutionalization or isolation among the county’s aging population, increasing long-term costs for families and other public services.

The millage is not a new tax, but a continuation of funding previously approved by voters. Similar senior millage renewals in other Michigan counties have passed with strong community backing, reflecting recognition of the programs’ role in supporting independent living.