News photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Tuesday, Alpena County commissioners are seen in the Howard Male Conference Room during the board’s monthly Finance, Ways, and Means meeting. Commissioners voted to approve the ballot language for three millage renewals.

ALPENA — Voters in Alpena County will vote on a trio of county-wide millage renewals this year and that process officially has begun.

On Tuesday, Alpena County commissioners approved the ballot language for three millage renewals, which included the Veterans, Youth and Recreation, and the Older Persons millages.

County Administrator Jesse Osmer also told the board that he will propose ballot language soon to release money from a millage that was withheld after MidMichigan Health purchased the Alpena Regional Medical Center in 2016.

“We still had revenue coming in for the millage that we had in place at the time for the hospital,” he said. “Because it came in during that gray area when papers were being signed … there’s about $20,000 sitting in that line item that we can’t legally use for anything.”

Osmer explained that the only way to remove the money from the line item is to ask the public to release it.

“So we’ll be trying to find the right language to clearly state it in as few words as possible is what we’re trying to accomplish,” he added.

He told the commissioners that this ballot item will be added to the November election.

Veterans millage renewal proposal

Alpena County voters will have the opportunity to vote on the veterans millage renewal in November.

The Alpena County Veterans millage proposes a renewal for a tax which does not exceed 0.21 million, or $0.21 on each $1,000.00 of Equalized State Taxable Value. This millage is for a period of four years starting with the levy made on Dec. 1, 2026.

This millage is for the purpose of providing funds to equip, operate, maintain, and provide support and assistance services to veterans through the Alpena County Department of Veterans Affairs.

The estimated revenue Alpena County will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the first year is $274,291.27. The 0 .21-mill tax would cost an owner of a $100,000 house with a taxable value of about half of that, about $10.50 a year.

Youth and Recreation millage renewal proposal

The Youth and Recreation millage renewal proposal will be placed on the August ballot.

The Alpena County Youth and Recreation millage proposes a renewal for a tax which will not exceed one half million, or $0.50 on each $1,000.00 of Equalized State Taxable Value. This proposal is for a period of four years starting with the levy made Dec. 1, 2026.

This millage is for the sole purpose of providing “Recreational Activities” for Youth and Recreation for Alpena County Residents, as well as recreational service and improvement or development of recreational sites.

The estimated revenue Alpena County will collect if the millage renewal is approved and levied in the first year is $645,000. The 0..5-mill tax would cost an owner of a $100,000 house with a taxable value of about $50,000 about $25 a year.

Activities and Services for Older Persons millage renewal proposal

Activities and Services for Older Persons millage renewal proposal will be placed on the August ballot.

The Alpena County Youth and Recreation millage proposes a renewal for a tax not to exceed 0.55 of one million ($0.55 on each $1,000.00 of Equalized State Taxable Value) for a period of four years starting with the levy made December 1, 2026.

This millage is for the sole purpose of providing “Activities and Services” for Older Persons in Alpena County, which includes individuals 60 years of age or older, for social, health, educational, nutritional, recreational, and senior facility improvements and mobility services.

The estimated revenue Alpena County will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the first year is $694,352. The .55-mill tax would cost an owner of a $100,000 house and a taxable value of about half that, about $27.50 a year.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.