County board OKs 2016 millage rate

BESSEMER— The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners Wednesday set the 2016 county millage rate at .00668, the same as in 2015, but it will result in $44,100 more being collected in taxes.

A total of $3,401,704 will be collected in taxes, up $44,100 from 2015, according to a report from Gogebic County Equalization Director Tom Novascone.

The reason more money will be collected is because the taxable value of the county has increased from $502,635,304 to $509,237,147.

In setting the millage, the county board did not need to hold a truth n taxation hearing.

The board will need to add a member to the Tax Limitation Advisory Committee, which meets every four years. The committee will draft a fixed millage allocation proposal for placement on the November general election ballot.

The committee is comprised of the county treasurer, finance committee chairman, superintendent of the intermediate school district, a probate judge appointee, a township supervisor and an at-large member appointed by the county board who cannot be connected or employed with any local municipal or county unit.

Four years ago, county clerk-register of deeds Gerry Pelissero said the board representative who was appointed didn’t make it to the meeting, but a quorum was present.

“It’s a one-day meeting that lasts for about 20 minutes,” Pelissero said.

Since there was no urgency to make an appointment, board members indicated they’ll probably make a decision a their next meeting.

In other business Wednesday, the county board:

—Agreed to pay $350 dues to the Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development Council. Board member Jeff Wasley is a member of the UPRCDC.

—Agreed to transfer $13,521 from tax sale proceeds to the general fund. The money comes from taxes owed for 2011 that weren’t paid.

—Filed a report from the U.S. Forest Service on Ottawa National Forest plans to treat up to 3,000 acres for spruce budworm.