Tuscola County Veterans Services Millage: the renewal and the first-ever increase on the November 3, 2026 ballot

The ballot. "A pair of ballot proposals could shape the future of Tuscola County Veterans Affairs, putting the department's funding before voters in the Nov. 3 general election." The renewal: "The current veterans services millage expires in December. Tuscola County Veterans Affairs Director John Boggs indicates that the last time a renewal was on the ballot came in 2020. Renewing the millage would extend it for six years, through 2032. The millage would be levied 0.1697 mill, or $0.1697 per $1,000 of state taxable value annually." and "If the millage is approved, it's estimated that revenue collected by the county will be $406,500 in the first year. A portion of the revenues, estimated to be approximately 0.6% in the first year, collected from this millage would be captured or disbursed to Downtown Development Authorities in Caro, Cass City, Millington, and Vassar." The increase: "the new amount would be 0.03 mills, or $0.03 per $1,000 of taxable value annually through 2032. The estimated revenue the increase would generate in 2027 is $72,575." The millage's words and the officer's. The millage "provides dedicated services and programs to veterans of the United States military and their qualified dependents within the county". Boggs: "Our office is primarily funded by the millage. We have been using a grant to pay for the wage of our veterans service officer, just so we can stay afloat. There's no guarantee for the grant in the future." (In 2025 the office was granted 49,001.63 dollars, "the entirety of which covers the wage.") On the DDA verbiage: "This was never on millages in the past. I've been told that this pertains to every county millage, but it was never on the ballot before." On the increase: "This is the first time that our office is asking for an increase. We looked everywhere we could to try and cut corners. We had to ask for a renewal, but we weren't crazy about asking for an increase. With the cost of living up, everything is up by a third. ... Even with the grant, we were still struggling." The increase's 2027 revenue "would allow Johnson to be employed full time. Additionally, he would like to see funds go toward replacing at least one Disabled American Veterans vehicle." And the stakes: "If this doesn't pass, we will more than likely go to a two-person office. If the renewal isn't passed, we would operate as is until we run out of money. I'm not sure if we would revert back to the county. Before the millage, the county funded this office." The board's route. The June 25, 2026 minutes record the engagement: "Clark Hill Engagement Letter For Review of the Veterans Millage Proposals - Mike Miller, Interim Administrator, explained that the information for Veterans Millage be referred to the Bond Attorney firm that the county has used in the past to review the potential language for a renewal and an additional millage request." with "Motion by Matt Koch, seconded by Bill Lutz to approve the Engagement Letter with Clark Hill to review proposed Veterans Millage Proposals. All Necessary Signatures and Budget Amendments are approved. Motion Carried. 2026-M-138". The July 16, 2026 minutes record the resolution: "County Veterans Services Millage Renewal Discussion - John Boggs, Veterans Service Officer, presented information regarding the upcoming renewal of the Veterans Service millage as well as a request for an increase in the millage as the department budget needs additional funding to be able to continue to provide services to the Veterans of the community. 2026-M-152 Motion by Bill Lutz, seconded by Matt Koch to approve Resolution 2026-11 to place the County Veterans Services Millage Renewal and a County Veterans Services Millage Increase as two separate proposals on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Yes: Nancy Barrios, Thomas Bardwell, Kim Vaughan, Bill Lutz, and Matt Koch. Motion Carried." See the board's entry for the CVSF grant agreements.