Berrien County leaders are spreading the word about the millage renewals set to be on the August 6 ballot.
The county is seeking renewals of the senior center millage, the 911 millage, and the public safety millage.
Speaking to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners this past week, 911 Director Caitlin Sampsell said the 0.4495 mill 911 millage would generate about $4.6 million in its first year, if renewed. It funds all 911 emergency operations.
“This is important so that when we can take in those 911 emergency calls, we can provide instruction, dispatch out field responders,” Sampsell said. “In our county, we do police, fire, and EMS to get them to the right location of the emergency, regardless of how the call comes in.”
The 911 milage has been in place since 1985. If approved for a six-year renewal, it would cost the average property owner about $49 per year.
Meanwhile, Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit addressed commissioners about the public safety millage. He said it covers the Southwest Enforcement Team, or SWET, along with special units.
“Our bomb team, hazmat, dive team, and our tactical response unit,” Heit said. “So that covers all the equipment and 0.8% of the salaries. Our canines, for our three canines — our one explosive canine and two narcotics detection canines — and all the maintenance that goes along with them are also covered in the millage.”
33% of the public safety millage goes to SWET, 26% goes to the special units, 9% goes to the K9s, 7% to equipment, and the rest to things like marine patrol, the drug court, and the drug lab.
The public safety millage is 0.3496 mills, generating about $3.6 million per year. It costs the average property owner about $38 per year.
Additionally, the county is seeking a renewal of its senior centers millage. County Administrator Brian Dissette said anyone looking for information on that millage should contact their local senior center to learn what it means to them.
