For the past nine years, 1.5 mills have supported your First Responders. Due to rising costs in all aspects of our services, the need for full-time responders, and the necessity of increasing wages, benefits, and training pay, we are requesting a 0.5-mill increase in our millage for a total of 2 mils.

This increase will ensure continued funding for quality services over the next ten years. This funding will maintain 24/7 access to trained First Responders.

Taxable value of your home × 0.002 mills = annual tax you will pay. Example: $80,000 taxable value × 0.002 mills = $160 in annual tax.

Rural Fire Authority Proposal - cancellation of last year of authorized levy of 1.0  mill for general operating purposes, and approval of new 2.0 mill millage for general operating purposes and equipment purchases. 

“Shall the existing 1.0 mill levy for general operating purposes of the Mason County Rural Fire Authority authorized August 2, 2016 for levy in 2017 through 2026 be cancelled after levy in 2025 and not levied in 2026, and instead shall the limitation imposed under Article 9, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes within the taxing jurisdiction of the Mason County Rural Fire Authority (comprised of the City of Scottville and the Townships of Amber, Branch, Custer, Eden, Free Soil, Grant, Meade, Riverton, Sheridan, Sherman, Summit, Victory and the Villages of Custer, Fountain and Free Soil) be increased to 2.0 mills ( $2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) and shall the Authority levy such new additional millage of all taxable real and personal property within the taxing jurisdiction of the Authority as specified above for 10 years in 2026-2035, inclusive, for disbursement to the Authority for general operating purposes and for the purchase of equipment, thereby raising in the first year of such levy an estimated $2,036,584.00.”

The Rural Fire Authority is proposing a change to the current fire service funding. Right now, residents pay 1 mill for fire operations, and previously, an additional 0.5 mill was collected for equipment until it expired in 2024. In 2025, only the 1 mill for operations remains. The new proposal would replace that with a 2-mill levy starting in 2026 and lasting for 10 years (until 2035). This means residents would pay an extra 0.5 mills compared to what they’ve been paying for most of the past decade, ensuring both operational costs and equipment purchases are covered.