To: Charles Winfrey, Human Services Committee Chairperson
From: Lynn M. Radzilowski, Senior Services Director
title
RE: Genesee County Senior Services Millage Renewal Proposal
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
GCOSS is requesting approval of the Genesee County Senior Services Millage Renewal Proposal to be placed on the August 6, 2024, Primary Election ballot.
BACKGROUND:
The first Genesee County Senior Millage was passed on August 8, 2006, for the years 2006-2014. On August 5, 2014, the millage was renewed for the years 2016-2025. This millage renewal passed favorably with a 72.13% yes vote. This renewed authorization to levy the Senior Services Millage will expire on December 31, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
Each year over 21,000 Genesee County residents aged 60 and older receive one or more services funded by the Senior Millage. This year alone we are budgeted to fund $8,723,451 in services and funding for the 16 Genesee County senior centers. If the millage did not renew, these residents would still need these services, and funding for these services and senior centers would fall back on the local units and other community organizations. The results would be devastating for our seniors in need in Genesee County.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
N/A
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
All contracts and services that come from the Genesee County Office of Senior Services are funded by the Genesee County Senior Services Millage. The General Fund is not used for these contracts and services
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
N/A
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
N/A
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
By renewing this millage we can continue to serve our seniors in need to provide healthy, livable, and safe communities. Securing funding for our seniors in need for the next 10 years provides long-term financial stability.
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
WHEREAS, the percentage of Genesee County’s population that consists of persons age 60 or older is increasing more rapidly than the total population; and
WHEREAS, many of Genesee County’s senior citizens are increasingly experiencing a wide range of unmet needs, including but not limited to matters of health, nutrition, and personal safety; and
WHEREAS, funding from the Federal and State government for senior citizen services is being drastically reduced, thus producing less resources for senior citizen services at a time of increased need for those services; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of the needs and authority herein described, and pursuant to Public Act 39 of 1976 as amended, MCL 400.571 et seq., this Board of Commissioners submitted to the electorate, on August 8, 2006, a millage proposition to authorize a levy of 0.700 mills for services to older citizens; and
WHEREAS, on August 8, 2006, the electorate of Genesee County authorized the levy of 0.700 mills for the years 2006 through 2015, inclusive, to provide funding for the purpose of supporting services for citizens 60 years of age or older (the “Senior Services Millage”); and
WHEREAS, on August 5, 2014, the electorate of Genesee County authorized a renewal of the Senior Services Millage and the levy of 0.700 mills for the years 2016 through 2025; and
WHEREAS, the renewed authorization to levy the Senior Services Millage will expire on December 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, this Board finds that there continues to be a need for services to citizens 60 years of age or older as has been funded by the Senior Services Millage.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the following question shall be submitted to a vote of the electorate of Genesee County, Michigan, on August 6, 2024, in a special election to be held in conjunction with the primary election scheduled for that date:
GENESEE COUNTY SENIOR SERVICES
MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL
Shall there be a renewal of the previously approved authorization of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners to levy a tax of 0.6852 mills ($0.6852 per $1,000.00 of taxable property valuation) upon the taxable valuation of property within Genesee County, as finally equalized, for each of the ten (10) years from 2026 through 2035, inclusive, for the purpose of supporting services for citizens 60 years of age or older?
This is a renewal of the Genesee County Senior Services Millage that expires after the 2025 levy. The estimated revenue that will be collected during the first year this millage is authorized and levied is $8,195,004.00.
Yes
No
In Genesee County, there are local authorities that capture and use for authorized purposes tax increment revenues from property taxes levied by the County. Such captured revenue would include a portion of the proposed millage levy. The total amount of captured tax increment revenues from the proposed millage levy in the first calendar year of the levy is estimated to be $253,568.00. The following such local authorities presently are expected to capture and receive disbursement of a portion of the County’s property tax levy:
City of Clio Corridor Improvement Authority (“CIA”), Downtown Development Authority (“DDA”), and Neighborhood Improvement Authority (“NIA”); City of Davison DDA and Local Development Finance Authority (“LFDA”); City of Fenton DDA and LFDA; City of Grand Blanc DDA; City of Linden DDA; City of Montrose DDA; City of Swartz Creek DDA; Genesee County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Land Bank Authority; Davison Township DDA; Flint Township DDA, Beecher Road CIA, and Bristol Road CIA; Grand Blanc Township DDA; Mt. Morris Township Business Development Authority (“BDA”); Mundy Township DDA and Hill Road CIA; Vienna Township BDA; Village of Lennon DDA; Village of Otisville DDA; and Village of Otter Lake DDA.
Other such local authorities could be created in the future.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the preceding question hereby is certified to the County Clerk and, through the County Clerk, to the Board of Election Commissioners of Genesee County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an election is called for August 6, 2024, throughout Genesee County, for the purpose of submitting the above-stated ballot question to the electorate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that notice of the aforesaid election and of registration therefor shall be given, the ballots therefor shall be prepared, the election shall be conducted, and the results thereof shall be canvassed and certified, all as required by law, by the County Clerk, the Board of Election Commissioners, the Board of County Canvassers and other election officials.