Be an informed voter
Yard signs are being distributed and placed advocating a “no” vote on the proposed millage tax increase appearing on the Feb. 27 election ballot. The sign boldly implies the proposed tax increase will increase your property taxes by 38%.
The sign is a deliberate lie and a purposefully misrepresentation of the facts. No Isabella County tax payer will realize a 38% increase in their tax bill resulting from the proposed 2.5 mill increase in county operating millage. Let me repeat — no one will realize a 38% increase in their tax bill resulting from a 2.5 increase in county operating millage. The individuals distributing the signs don’t care about how this issue will impact you, your family or county government as a whole; they just want you to vote no.
My own home sits on a
3-acre property on Shepherd Road in Chippewa Township. I visited the county website (isabella county.org) to determine how much my own property taxes would go up with the proposed 2.5 mill increase. I discovered my property is currently subject to a 29.16 millage rate. Doing the math, a 2.5 increase in the current rate equals an increase of 9% in my taxes. The real dollar value of this increase represents an annual increase of $166.43 (46 cents per day) in my taxes.
Property tax data is available for every parcel in Isabella County.
It is available without cost to everyone wishing this information. Simply visit the GIS Interactive link found on the Community Development Department page.
Once you get to the map, locate your property and click on it. Add up your most recent Winter and Summer millage rates. If you live on your property, you are not subject to the non-homestead school millage rate of 18 mills so don’t include this figure in your total. Divide 2.5 by the total number of mills your property is subject to and you will identify the accurate percentage increase associated with the county operating millage ballot proposal.
I’ve been informed the individuals opposed to the millage increase have hired a public relations firm based in Lansing to advance their cause. Be prepared for more yard sign, email, text and other associated media messages. This is their right. County government is prohibited by law to advocate for or against election issues but is allowed to inform the public on why a particular issue has been placed on the ballot. As you receive additional media products, keep in mind what is presented will be a targeted message designed to present a biased one-side view on the issue.
Whether you vote for or against the proposed millage increase, you owe it to yourself, family and friends to know the real facts. The issues involved in the millage request are complex and can’t be boiled down to a simple statement, especially when the statement is carefully selected to influence either a “yes” or “no” vote.
The outcome of the Feb. 27 vote will determine the scope of county government programs and services in future years.
Without increased operating revenues, the Board of Commissioners have no option available other than to reduce the size and scope of existing services offered; services county residents have come to expect and value. Information associated with the proposed millage rate increase is available on the Isabella County website. Before you cast your absentee or in-person vote, please learn the facts.
Jerry Jaloszynski District 3 Isabella County
Board of Commissioners