EDITOR:

Recently our committee received several inquiries asking how Delta County compares to other counties in regards to the millage going to their community colleges. After extensive research, the results are in. Delta County currently pays in the top 20 percent of millage rates paid to local community colleges in the State of Michigan. The average county with a community college in the State of Michigan pays a millage of 2.497 to their local community college. Currently, Delta County pays a millage of 3.3076 mils to Bay, which is not only higher than the majority of the state, it is in fact one of the highest in the state. Furthermore, if this millage increase gets approved on Nov. 5, Delta County residents will have the highest millage rate in the State of Michigan for their local community college. Furthermore, comparing our community college to others with similar tax bases we found some major differences. Gogebic County, which has a smaller tax base than us, which also operates a community college, has a millage rate of 2.8129 mils. Iosco County which supports a community college just below the bridge and has a similar tax base as Delta County funds their community college with a millage rate of 2.2293. This trend repeats itself all over the State of Michigan. The underlying question is how can the majority of other community colleges in the state operate successfully while having such a lower millage, but ours apparently cannot? If Bay cannot operate within its means, then they’re the ones that need to feel the consequences; because this is not the communities fault and we should not be punished for their lack of budgeting. This information came directly from the Michigan Department of Treasury, 2018 Milage Rate Analysis for Community College’s, Section 13(5) PA86.

Here is the link to the community college millage information. https://www.michigan.gov/documents/treasury/2012-2017_Millage_Rate_Analysis_-_Community_College_622037_7.xlsx

Here is the facebook page to where the majority of the community is opposing this millage. https://www.facebook.com/Vote-NO-for-Bay-Colleges-Millage-Proposal-on-Nov-5th-106795487401817/

Jeremiah Montgomery

Escanaba