By ILSA MINOR

Daily Press

ESCANABA — Voters will have plenty to weigh in on during the Tuesday, Nov. 7 general election. Here’s what’s on the ballot:

ESCANABA CITY COUNCIL

Three candidates are seeking election to two open seats on the Escanaba City Council. Incumbents Tyler DuBord and Karen Moore, both of whom were elected in 2019, will face off against challenger Rhonda Waters. Both open seats are for four-year terms.

GLADSTONE CITY COMMISSION

Like Escanaba, Gladstone has three candidates vying for two open four-year seats on the city’s legislative board. Incumbents Brad Mantela and Judy Akkala will be challenged by Brian Godfrey. Mantela was first appointed to the city commission in October of 2016 to fill a vacancy created by the departure of Former Commissioner Mike O’Connor. He was elected to the commission to fill out the remainder of O’Connor’s term in 2017 and was reelected for four-years in 2019. Akkala also joined the commission as an appointment. She was appointed in February of 2020, following the resignation of Former Commissioner Dave Phalen.

GLADSTONE SCHOOL MILLAGE

Residents in Gladstone, Escanaba Township and Brampton Township will be asked by Gladstone Area Schools to approve a bond millage proposal. Specifically, the district is asking to borrow a sum not to exceed $35,390,000 and issuing bonds to pay for erecting, furnishing, and equipping additions to school buildings and facilities; remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings, including for school security; acquiring and installing instructional technology; equipping, preparing, developing, and improving athletic fields and facilities, playgrounds, sidewalks, parking areas, driveways, and sites; and purchasing school buses.

The district has billed the new 5.75 mill ($5.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) millage as a tax decrease, citing the school’s existing bonded debt millage, which is taxed at a rate of 5.9 mills ($5.9 per $1,000 of taxable value), that will soon be paid off. While it is true that the 5.75 mills would be less than what is currently levied, the existing millage will be retired regardless of whether the new millage is approved — potentially dropping taxpayer’s burden by $5.90 per $1,000 of taxable value rather than 15 cents per $1,000 of taxable value if the measure is rejected.

This district has said it intends to use the funds to adjust traffic patterns at Cameron for safer pick-ups and drop-offs, make facilities more accessible for those with disabilities, and make a number of athletic and recreational upgrades, including a new auxiliary gymnasium at Cameron Elementary, replacing playground equipment at Jones Elementary, and rebuilding the high school track.

BRAMPTON TOWNSHIP FIRE MILLAGE RENEWAL

Brampton Township residents will also be asked to support the renewal of 1 mill ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period ten years, 2025 to 2034, inclusive. The millage will be used for operation, equipment and maintenance of the township fire department.

In the first year levied, the millage would raise an estimated $33,765.64.

The language on the ballot may be confusing to some voters, as it references a “rolled back” millage rate less than 1 mill. This is a result of the Headlee Amendment, a 1978 amendment to the Michigan State Constitution, which reduces millage rates unless residents vote to restore the full value of the millage. Voters have already restored the millage in Brampton, meaning both the current tax rate and the proposal levy 1 mill.

MENOMINEE COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND ROAD PATROL

Menominee County residents will be asked to approve levying 1.7671 mills (roughly $1.77 per $1,000 of taxable value) against all taxable property in the county for a period of six years, 2024 to 2029, inclusive, to continue funding the Menominee County’s Sheriff’s emergency response and 24-hour road patrol. If approved, the millage would raise an estimated $1,644,180.25 in the first calendar year.

In accordance with state law, a portion of the millage may be dispersed to the city of Menominee’s Downtown Development and Brownfield authorities, which are funded through tax incremental financing. None of the money collected from outside the city of Menominee will be applied to these authorities.

HARRIS TOWNSHIP FIRE TRUCK AND EQUIPMENT MILLAGE

Harris Township residents will be asked to impost an increase of .5 mills (50 cents per $1,000 of taxable value) against all taxable property in the township for a period of six years, 2023 to 2028, inclusive, to purchase and equip a new fire truck for the township’s fire department.

In the first year levied, the millage would raise an estimated $30,258.

SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY AMBULANCE MILLAGE

Residents in Schoolcraft County will be asked to approve levying 2.25 mills ($2.25 per $1,000 of taxable value) for five years, 20203 through 2027, to provide funds for ambulance services throughout the county.

The millage would raise an estimated $955,592 when first levied in 2023.

If approved, the millage would allow residents to keep the emergency medical services (EMS) based in Manistique that currently serves the county. If the item on the ballot fails Tuesday, it may be presented again in March; if it fails for a second time, ambulance services will likely cease in summer 2024.

The request comes after it was determined the city of Manisitque does not have enough revenue to offset the expenses related to ambulance service and also meet the requirements of a deficit elimination plan required by the state.

The fund could be used for EMT and paramedic wages and benefits, fuel, new ambulances, on-board equipment and related necessities.