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ESCANABA -- The Delta County Board of Commissioners has officially decided the county will not be placing a Headlee Rollback on the November ballot.
The Headlee Amendment, approved by Michigan voters in 1978, requires local property tax rates to be rolled back when property values increase faster than inflation, limiting the amount of revenue local governments can collect without voter approval.
The proposal was being considered because of declining tax revenue due to the Headlee Rollback, as seen in fiscal year 2025.
If the matter had been taken to a vote and passed in Delta County, the county's Headlee Rollback would have restored the operating millage from 4.9804 mills back to the statutory rate of 5.4500 mills, allowing the county’s general fund to capture the full millage approval rate as authorized in 1976.
As to why the board made the decision to forgo putting it on the November ballot, Commissioner Christine Williams said the county now has a balanced budget for fiscal year 2027, leaving a Headlee Rollback unnecessary on the November ballot.
The proposed fiscal year 2027 budget totals $13,672,945, while projected revenue stands at $13,594,304. These projected numbers previously left an estimated budget deficit of $78,192, which has since been balanced by the county.
The decision will also allow the county time to review sustainable ways to reduce expenses in the future that don't involve a Headlee Rollback.
"It would give us some time to really deep dive into our county's financial situation and come up with solutions that are much longer term rather than sort of these short-term solutions," Williams said.
The Delta County Finance Committee has been discussing contingency plans prior to the board opting out of restoring the county's operating millage in preparation for their decision.
Proposed plans to reduce expenses include several tiers of options, ranging from measures with minimal public impact and actions that could have a higher impact on county services and operations.
One plan the county could consider -- which has not been adopted -- includes a hiring freeze for nonessential vacant positions or delaying the hiring process to reduce personnel costs, which make up a significant portion of the county's general fund expenditures.
Williams’ motion was supported by Commissioner Patrick Johnson, and the board approved the motion without further discussion.
Also on Tuesday, Paul Putnam from the Michigan State Extension (MSU) Office gave the board an annual update, particularly noting the success of the recent Mi Fresh Fish Fest that took place in Escanaba on Friday, July 24.
According to County Administrator Emily DeSalvo, over 400 people were served at the event.
Putnam said, "We have a lot of misconceptions throughout the state about what's safe and what's not safe to eat in terms of fish, and that was part of this whole thing - to promote commercial fisheries, but also get some people who may have never even had fresh fish like that fried up."
He also mentioned the Michigan Sea Grant, which is part of a national network of more than 30 university-based programs in the country administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The grant is cooperatively supported by federal funding, the MSU’s Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI) as well as University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS).
Food Safety Educator Stephanie Ostrenga from MSU Extension addressed the board on Tuesday, as well, presenting various handouts about food safety that she distributes during events.
One handout outlines the Michigan Cottage Food Law, which took effect in July 2010. The law gives small-scale entrepreneurs the opportunity to make and market specific foods from their home kitchens.
Various handouts, as well as articles, recipes and videos, on food safety can be found by visiting the MSU Extension Food Safety website, www.canr.msu.edu/safe_food_water/.
To learn more, MSU Extension staff from all over the Upper Peninsula will be located in the Miracle of Life building during the U.P. State Fair from Aug. 17 to Aug. 23.
Putnam also requested the board appropriate a 3% increase of funds in the 2026-27 budget that would be used to maintain staff and employee benefits at the local extension office.
In other business, the board:
-- Held a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. Rory Mattson, former Delta Conservation District Manager, expressed concerns over the Parks and Recreation Commission’s recent vote for a non-maintenance budget. Bob Barron, former commissioner, addressed the board to reiterate Mattson's sentiments, fearing the budget would leave the parks virtually dilapidated. After the hearing concluded, Commissioner Matthew Jensen -- who is also assigned to the Parks and Recreation Commission -- clarified the issue, saying his support for the non-maintenance budget was for maintenance work to be done within the county's department, while the maintenance budget would have created a new maintenance position for the parks.
-- Heard from County Clerk Nancy Przewrocki, who spoke as a citizen during the public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. Przewrocki expressed her disappointment over the budget's lack of funds for an additional deputy clerk position in the clerk's office. Przewrocki noted her office has been shorthanded for some years now, and an increased volume of work has proved the need for another position. She also reminded commissioners that one position in the clerk's office has generated an additional $100,000 in county revenue per year over the last three years through a 600% increase in background checks being completed. Upon the conclusion of the public hearing, Commissioner Kelli van Ginhoven told Prezrocki that herself and Commissioner Patrick Johnson requested Przewrocki come up with a job description for the proposed role, though they never received that due to the lack of personnel meetings. Przewrocki is expected to meet with Van Ginhoven and Johnson to deliver a job description.
-- Passed a resolution approving the Delta County recycling, composting and hazardous waste millage renewal to be placed on the November ballot if the matter did not pass on Tuesday. Following the meeting, the recycling millage passed, making the board's resolution null. with 67.96% of Delta County residents voted "yes" to the renewal (6,648 votes), while 32.04% (3,134) of Delta County voters were opposed to the millage renewal.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.