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 2025 levy of 3.2399 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. Because the county’s general operating millage is directly tied to each township’s millage, the county cannot restore or change this funding source unless all townships do the same. If a Headlee reset or operating millage restoration fails in 2026, the general operating revenue for both the county and its townships would be eliminated, placing numerous services at risk. Potential impacts include reductions or elimination of sheriff’s road patrol deputies, animal control, school and youth resource officers, drug enforcement programs, and fire protection in some townships, as well as cuts to planning and zoning, parks and recreation, and MSU Extension programs. In addition, residents could experience reduced public office hours, longer processing times for services, and deferred maintenance of buildings, technology, and vehicles, leading to declining infrastructure and higher future costs.

For more information, or to estimate the financial impact to your household, please use the below links:

Benzie 2026 Millage Renewal - Tax Estimator

Benzie 2026 Millage Renewal - At a Glance

Benzie 2026 Millage Renewal - An In-depth Look