The topic of the upcoming DATA millage, which will appear on voters’ ballots for the Aug. 4 election, has been the source of questions lately as residents seek clearer messaging.

One recent presentation to deliver some clarity took place at the monthly Delta County Regional Inclusive Community Coalition (RICC) meeting on Thursday.

At present, DATA has a fleet of vans and buses that are primarily utilized by seniors and people with disabilities, but they provide rides indiscriminately to whoever calls, wherever they would like to go — within the covered area.

Right now, seven townships and two cities in Delta County pay a millage (tax) for the privilege to have service. There are seven townships that are not covered and are not eligible for rides to or from: Baldwin, Cornell, Fairbanks, Garden, Maple Ridge, Nahma and Wells.

"Vote yes for independence," reads one sign supporting the DATA millage, alluding to the fact that many riders are unable to drive themselves but can travel on the bus without help. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Most of the existing millages in place are about to expire. Instead of levying a couple “patchwork” millages again, with different terms and dates, DATA is seeking to replace them with a county-wide millage. Every eligible property owner in the county would pay the same rate — .689 mills — and receive the same service opportunity for the same amount of time.

One mill is equal to one-thousandth of a dollar. In a one-mill situation, a homeowner would pay $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value.

If the new DATA millage passes, a person with a $200,000 home would pay $68.90 per year for eight years.

There are some people who don’t want to pay taxes for a service they don’t use. But DATA and supporters of transit argue that while it won’t be used by everyone, the DATA bus exists to help the area’s most vulnerable populations get around. Some people would be homebound without it; the average vehicle can’t accommodate wheelchairs, for one, and there are plenty of other people who simply don’t drive.

If a perfectly-able-bodied resident of Gladstone with an office job were to break their foot tomorrow, they would be able to call DATA for rides to work at a more affordable rate than a taxi. If a little old lady at Harbor Tower who got too arthritic to drive five years ago wants to shop at Walmart, she can call DATA for a ride. If your uncle drinks too much at a bar in the middle of the afternoon, he can call DATA to bring him home safely — if he lives in one of the covered areas.

Mobililty Manager Amy Fudala explains the Delta Area Transit Authority millage during the RICC meeting this week. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

If there were no DATA, those people’s options would be reduced. The businessperson with the broken foot would be paying potentially twice as much for a taxi, which adds up; the lady at Harbor Tower would have to call on a relative for a ride, possibly feeling a loss of independence and worrying about becoming a burden; the drunk uncle might risk getting behind the wheel.

Right now, DATA can provide some services. They would like to provide more.

Their goals if the millage passes are as follows:

– Scale up the fleet. Right now, DATA has three minivans, four full-size vans, eight cutaway buses and two medium-duty buses.

– Expand service to all areas of Delta County. Close to half the land mass of the county is currently off-limits.

Some locals have been upset by what may be seen as a false parallel, extreme messaging, or manipulation portrayed in this emotionally-charged yard sign. The sign with the message "If transit ends, lives end" was paid for by Friends of DATA. It is true that many people with medical issues and special needs rely on the Delta Area Transit Authority. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

– Add service on Saturdays, Friday evenings, and earlier in the morning. At present, DATA only operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If the millage fails, the following could happen:

– More of the taxes that people are already paying will be claimed by the state and federal governments. A public transit system like DATA is allowed to collect certain already-applied taxes only if a millage is in place.

– Because of the reduction in funds, the current door-to-door service for anyone who calls might be cut off. Instead of being able to take people to work and school and the store, DATA might have to restrict rides only to clients with contracts, like Lakestate Industries and Pathways.

– DATA will have eight days to scramble to come up with an alternative plan to present for the November ballot.

Pathways CSS Supervisor Crystal Sarasin wears a shirt listing benefits of the Delta Area Transit Authority. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

– Because the DATA bus will provide less service, it will be less valuable. Fewer people may ride, which leads to even less funds for operation.

Statements that “DATA will disappear” or “people will die” if the millage doesn’t pass are unhelpful fearmongering. What taxpayers want and deserve is the truth and not to feel misled.

With real figures, the knowledge of how the community benefits from having DATA service, and the freedom of choice, Delta County voters will have the ability to decide for themselves whether the benefit of providing for handicap-accessible transportation across all townships is worth paying for.