ESCANABA — A five-year millage renewal request in support of Delta Area Transit Authority (DATA) was approved by voters in multiple Delta County communities during Tuesday’s primary election.

The renewal request was included on ballots in the cities of Escanaba and Gladstone and the townships of Brampton, Ensign, Ford River and Masonville. Its approval in the townships marks the millage’s first renewal in these communities.

In Escanaba and Gladstone, the request will renew a tax of up to 0.6 mills ($0.60 per $1,000 of taxable value) on all properties from 2021 to 2025, inclusive. The renewed millage will generate an estimated $187,126 in its first year in Escanaba.

A tax of up to 0.5 mills ($0.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) will be renewed on properties in the townships included in the renewal request for the same period of time.

A total of 1,405 votes, or 72.01 percent, were cast in favor of the renewal request in Escanaba. 546 votes, or 27.99 percent, were cast against the request.

In Gladstone, 599 voters, or 73.68 percent, supported the request. 214 voters, or 26.32 percent, were against it.

A total of 146 votes, or 66.67 percent, were cast in favor of the millage renewal in Brampton Township. Meanwhile, 73 votes, or 33.33 percent, were cast against the millage renewal.

In Ensign Township, 113 voters, or 58.25 percent, voted to approve DATA’s request. 81 voters, or 41.75 percent, were opposed to it.

Ford River Township reported 293 votes, or 71.46 percent, cast in support of the millage renewal and 117 votes, or 28.54 percent, cast against it.

In Masonville Township, 196 voters, or 64.69 percent, voted to approve the millage renewal. 107 voters, or 35.31 percent, voted not to approve it.

Executive Director of DATA John Stapleton said he was pleased voters chose to support the authority, even while dealing with the financial effects of COVID-19.

“We’re very humbled at this point in time, especially with the pandemic that’s going on,” he said.

He also said he is glad DATA will be able to keep offering its services in the cities and townships that voted on the renewal request Tuesday.

“We feel really good about being able to continue in those areas,” Stapleton said.