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1. What will the ballot questions say?

RENEWAL OF SEPARATE TAX LIMITATION PROPOSAL

As provided in MCL 211.205c, by petition from the tax allocation board, shall the separate tax limitations be renewed and established for a period of five (5) years, 2021 through 2025, inclusive, or until altered by the voters of the County, for the County of Lenawee, the Townships therein, and for the Lenawee Intermediate School District, the aggregate of which shall not exceed 7.05 mills, as follows:

Mills
County of Lenawee 5.75
Townships 1.00
Lenawee Intermediate School District 0.30
Total 7.05

LENAWEE COUNTY CENTRAL DISPATCH PROPOSAL FOR 9-1-1 SYSTEM FUNDING

To fund 9-1-1 operations and pursuant to the Michigan Emergency Telephone Service Enabling Act and the Michigan Telecommunications Act, shall the County of Lenawee be authorized, beginning July 1, 2021 and continuing through June 30, 2025, to assess a monthly surcharge of up to 16%, (with all operational surcharges not to exceed $3.00 per month) of the lesser of $20.00 or the highest monthly flat rate for basic single-party telephone service within the geographic boundaries of Lenawee County, with the revenue thus generated to be distributed exclusively for the financing of equipment, facilities and all other operational costs of the Lenawee County 911 Emergency Telephone Answering and Dispatch System?

SENIOR CITIZEN MILLAGE RESTORATION

Shall the previously voted increase of .5 mills and .25 mills for a total of .75 mills in the limitation upon the total amount of general ad valorem taxes with Lenawee County imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution be restored by renewal of .732 mills and an increase of .018 mills (.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) for the period of 2020 through 2025 inclusive, for operation of the Lenawee County Department on Aging, and shall the county levy such millage upon taxable real and personal property within the County for said purpose, thereby raising the first year, an estimated $2,732,657 and costing the owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 no more than $38 per year?

2. What will the proposed impact be on my taxes?

The millages and the surcharge in these proposals are already in place.  These renewals allow continued funding for critical service in the county.  This is not an increase in the authorised rate.

3. What will Lenawee County do if the renewals pass?

If the renewals pass Lenawee County will be able to continue services that the residents of Lenawee County expect. At the same time, the Lenawee County Board of Commissioners will continue to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. It is not expected that the maximum levy rate will be applied any time soon. The determination of the millage rate in any given year will be subject to the requirements of the Uniform Budgeting Act which requires the Board of Commissioners to hold a public hearing on the budget including the millage rate.

4. What services will continue as a result of these renewals?

The Michigan Constitution and state laws require that counties perform certain functions. These are often referred to as mandated functions. Other services have evolved over time in Lenawee County because they met the needs of our citizens. Some of these services are:

• Specialty Courts are not mandated but they provide a focused effort to meet the needs of certain offenders and they reduce the number of people in the jail and therefore the cost of running the jail.  These programs also reduce recidivism and save families and lives. 
• The Economic Crimes Unit in the Prosecutor’s Office serves many purposes. The diversion program provides offenders with a means of meeting their obligations without a criminal record. The program recovers lost monies for local businesses that would otherwise be uncollectable. This is not a mandated service.
• Senior services in the county include centers, in-home care and transportation to appointments. The home delivered meal program alone delivers over 800 meals daily. Lenawee County’s investments in senior services are really pay back for the tremendous investment our seniors have made in this community.
• The Sheriff Department road patrol provides law enforcement coverage for most of the townships and also provides coverage for some smaller villages. While not a mandated function it is a very important part of investing in safe and secure communities.
• The Lenawee County Sheriff’s Central Dispatch, dispatches for fourteen different police agencies and eighteen fire departments. Along with normal calls, the Center is also responsible for all emergency radio and 9-1-1 calls within the county. Clear and concise radio communication between dispatch and responding units is key in emergencies. In 2017 Lenawee County Commissioners approved the plan to upgrade from a VHF radio system to an 800-MHz system. The new system installations included having two new towers built, as well as providing 989 vehicle-mounted and portable radios and related equipment for all the city and township police and fire departments within the county. Having these updated communication systems are critical in saving lives, protecting property and serving communities.
• Maurice Spears Campus provides a youth detention facility in the county so that we do not have to send juvenile offenders out of county. While care of children is a county responsibility it is not mandated that each county maintain its own youth detention facility.
• Lenawee County’s contribution to Lenawee Now to promote economic development is a major investment in job attraction and retention. Lenawee County is by far the largest public sector contributor to Lenawee Now and has continued that commitment even in the face of significant budget cuts, however, this is not a mandated service.
• MSU Extension and 4-H programs are a big part of growing up in rural Lenawee County. The investment by Michigan State Extension and Lenawee County in educational and development programs offered is a benefit to the entire county and the leadership programs are an investment that last a lifetime. While funds spent on Extension programs are a sound investment in the future, these are not mandated services.
• The Solid Waste Department is not a mandated service, however, the department has coordinated and funded recycling efforts to keep hazardous and nuisance waste from adversely impacting the quality of life in Lenawee County. From tire collections to coordination of the hazardous waste collection to a drop off station for those communities that do not have other recycling options, this department improves the environment in Lenawee County every day.
• The Veterans Relief Fund is not mandated, however, it is an example of Lenawee County investing its resources in those who have served our country. The fund has provided emergency assistance to county veterans when they need it most. And the Veterans office in Lenawee County serves all of the veterans of the County overseeing nearly 50 million dollars in benefits and services to veterans.
• Lenawee County residents have been very generous in donating land to the County to be used for parks. This investment in the future needs ongoing support from the County to maintain and improve the recreational opportunities at the parks.

5. What county services are mandated and which are non-mandated?

The table below lists most of the mandated and non-mandated services. There are also county departments that exist in support of both mandated and non-mandated functions such as the Maintenance Department, Information Technology and Administration.

Mandated Functions

• Courts
• Jail
• Constitutional Offices
• Care of children
• Defense of indigent offenders
• Public health
• Equalization
• Veterans Affairs
• Drain Commission
• Medical Examiner

Non-Mandated Services

• Public Transportation
• Road and Marine Patrol
• MSU Extension and 4-H
• Economic Development
• Senior services
• Parks
• Specialty Courts
• Recycling
• Conservation Service
• Economic Crimes – Loss Recovery

6. Why are there three County issues on this year’s ballot?

While there was only on issue up for renewal this year, the Lenawee County Board of Commissioners determined it would be desirable to place all three on the General Election ballot for 2020.  Presidential elections historically have higher turnout so a larger number of county voters have a voice in these issues that have an effect on their safety and services.

7. Why are we combining the two Senior millages? Will this increase my taxes?

No, this will not increase your taxes.  We have found it to be confusing to the public to have these separate millages on the same issue up for renewal at different times.  The decision was made to combine both millage renewals into one renewal for ease of the electorate.

8. The new 911 radio system is operational. Why are we renewing the 911 surcharge?

When the Lenawee County Board of Commissioners approved the funding of the 911 radio project in 2017, it was determined the funding of this project would be finance over a ten year period.  There are still six years to go to pay off this project.  Additionally, there are maintenance and operational costs associated with our 911 system that are funded by the 911 surcharge.  This provides our citizens with clear communications in an emergency, which makes for a safer Lenawee County.