MARQUETTE — Marquette County has released the local proposals and nonpartisan candidates that will be on the Nov. 4 special election ballot.

Candidates for the nonpartisan offices of the Marquette City Commission, the Marquette Board of Light and Power, and the Negaunee City Council will also be available on the ballots.

≤ Candidates for Marquette City Commission: Sally R. Davis (incumbent), Michael Larson (incumbent) and Matthew Luttenberger.

≤ Candidates for Marquette City Board of Light and Power: Margaret Brumm (incumbent), Doug McMahon and Carrie Statt.

≤ Candidates for Negaunee City Council: Jon Becker (incumbent) and Jeff Plummer.

The four proposals on the ballot include a Public Safety Millage Proposal for Chocolay Charter Township, a Bond Proposal for Gwinn Area Community Schools, a Bond Proposal for Ishpeming Public School District Number One and an Operating Millage Proposal for Powell Township School District Number 12.

Official language for each ballot proposal, along with a brief explanation, is as follows:

≤ Chocolay Charter Township Public Safety Millage Proposal: The official language reads “Shall the Charter Township of Chocolay levy an additional, voter authorized public safety tax levy of one mills, authorizing a levy of one dollar per $1,000 of taxable value for financing the Charter Township of Chocolay’s continued providing of fire, police, and public safety protection, for a period of 10 years, with the millage to be levied beginning with the 2026 Winter tax bill and ending with the 2035 Winter tax bill, inclusive?” It is estimated that the proposal would result in the authorization to collect approximately $308,161.12 in the first year if approved and fully levied.

≤ Gwinn Area Community Schools Bond Proposal: The official language reads “Shall Gwinn Area Community Schools, Marquette County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Forty-Eight Million Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($48,065,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting, furnishing, and equipping an elementary school addition to the middle/high school building; partially remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping the building; acquiring and installing instructional technology and instructional technology equipment; and preparing, developing, equipping, and improving playgrounds and the site?”

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2026 is 4.68 mills, or $4.68 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding (exclusive of refunding) is 30 years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 4.75 mills ($4.75 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The school district does not expect to borrow from the State to pay debt service on the bonds. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $0. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $0. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances. (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses).

≤ Ishpeming Public School District Number One Bond Proposal: The official language reads: “Shall Ishpeming Public School District Number One, Marquette County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Three Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,700,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor for the purpose of: erecting, furnishing, and equipping athletic structures and a storage addition; remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings; and preparing, developing, and improving athletic facilities and sites?”

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2026 is 1.20 mills ($1.20 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.00 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding (exclusive of refunding) is fifteen (15) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 1.73 mills ($1.73 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)

≤ Powell Township School District Number 12 Operating Millage Proposal: The official language reads: “Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Powell Township School District No. 12, Marquette County, Michigan, be increased by 2 mills ($2.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 8 years, 2026 to 2033, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $2,914 (this millage is to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will be levied only to the extent necessary to restore that reduction)?”

The proposal will allow the school district to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance.

The full list of voting locations and election information can be found on the county’s website at co.marquette.mi.us/departments/county_clerk/electionnotices.php. For any additional questions, please please contact your respective city or township clerk.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.