Elections

Official Candidate List

Nov 3, 2026 Official Proposal List 

November 2026 Separate Tax Limitation Ballot Proposal Information

Benzie County and all of its townships operate under a fixed millage system rather than an allocated millage system, a structure approved by voters in 1982 that authorized a 5.29 millage for the county and 1.21 mills for each township. Since then, these rates have been reduced over time due to the Headlee Amendment, resulting in a 2026 levy of 3.1874 mills for the county and lower, varying levies for townships—some nearly half their original rate. The General Operating Millage is the primary funding source for essential county and township services, supporting core governmental functions such as the Treasurer, Clerk, Register of Deeds, courts, prosecutor, public safety services including sheriff’s road patrol and 911 dispatch, as well as township services like fire protection, parks and cemetery maintenance, elections, zoning, and community events. 

The November ballot will have three ballot proposal requests covering a countywide tax limitation proposal, a special millage for Animal Control and a special millage for TNT (Drug Enforcement) Officer. For more information on these proposals, and to view ballot language, please follow this link: Benzie 2026 Millage Renewal


We have also created an informational sheet that summarizes the three requests. Please feel free to contact the County Administration office at (231) 882-0035 if you have any questions.