On August 4th, Benzie County residents will vote on resetting the County and Township Operating Millages to previously approved limits — restoring funding for the services you depend on every day.
Decades of state-mandated tax rollbacks have reduced local government revenue while costs continue to rise. Here's what you need to know.
Michigan's Headlee Amendment requires tax rates to roll back when property values rise faster than inflation. Since 1982, Benzie's millage has declined from 5.29 to 3.24 mills — a 40% drop in funding capacity.
A Headlee Override — or "reset" — allows voters to restore the millage to its previously approved level. This does not create a new tax; it restores a rate you already voted for in the past.
The County's General Operating Millage is directly tied to each Township. Both must reset together — the County cannot change its rate without Township participation.
If approved, Animal Control, School Resource Officers, and Drug Enforcement would be folded into the General Fund — eliminating 3 separate millages (0.4074 mills) from your tax bill.
If the millage reset fails, the County and Townships lose their general operating revenue entirely. Michigan law requires certain services to remain funded — meaning everything else faces steep cuts or elimination.
The General Fund pays for the everyday services that make Benzie County function: road patrol deputies, the Treasurer's Office, the Clerk, Register of Deeds, Parks, Animal Control, MSU Extension, and more.
Mandated services like Courts and the Prosecutor will absorb the remaining budget, leaving zero funding for discretionary services.
Every property is different. Use our Tax Impact Estimator to calculate your personalized cost based on your taxable value and your township.
Enter your property's parcel number (found on your assessment change notice) and click 'search' to see your estimated annual financial impact. Please note this tool uses 2025 assessment data for its computations. Some townships may collect a lower millage than authorized, which would reduce your tax impact.
*Example based on a home with $95,000 taxable value. Your amount will vary. Townships and County are not required to levy the maximum allowable rate.
This is the official ballot language for the August 4, 2026 primary election in Benzie County.
| Entity | Mills |
|---|---|
| County of Benzie | 4.4399 |
| Townships | 1.2100 |
| Intermediate School District | 0.1828 |
| Total Aggregate | 5.8327 |
This display is for informational purposes only and reflects the official ballot question.
Answers to the most common questions about the August 2026 Benzie County ballot measure.
The August 4, 2026 primary election is your opportunity to shape the future of Benzie County. Make sure you're ready to vote.
Michigan residents can register to vote online through the Secretary of State. Same-day registration is available at your polling location on Election Day.
All registered Michigan voters may request an absentee ballot. Request yours early to ensure it arrives in time to be returned before Election Day.
Not sure where to vote? Use Michigan's Voter Information Center to find your polling location, sample ballot, and confirm your registration status.
Everything you need in one place: register to vote, track your absentee ballot, find your polling location, and view your sample ballot — all through the official Michigan Secretary of State portal.