By Staff
BENTON HARBOR – During its June meeting, the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees adopted a resolution authorizing placement of a single 0.45 millage increase request on the Nov. 4 election ballot.
The board reduced and restructured the two-proposal plan, originally discussed at the March board meeting, which would have placed 0.25 and 0.30 mill requests on the ballot.
The new proposal is also less than the 0.49 mill proposal LMC placed on last November's ballot.
"We are extremely sensitive to the difficult economic times we are all facing, and felt that we needed to strike a balance between the local need for expanded job training and education, and the immediate challenges families are facing with the rising cost of living," stated LMC Board of Trustees Chairman Steve Silcox.
"When our residents consider the value and opportunity that Lake Michigan College brings to our community, we hope they will make the decision to invest in their futures and the future of our region by supporting the millage."
The millage request, if approved by voters, will support operating costs, address the demand for development of new instructional programs, upgrade instructional equipment, as well as maintain and renovate LMC facilities.
"This proposal is important because Lake Michigan College touches every person who lives within the college's district," stated LMC President Dr. Randall Miller. "Our impact ranges from the extraordinary value families and students receive through first-rate, affordable education, to the development of a skilled workforce that keeps our hospitals, manufacturing businesses, nuclear plants and service industries running."
Miller added that the millage request is tied to a detailed five-year plan to address renovation of aging facilities, as well as to expand training programs into new areas such as nuclear operations, construction trades, agriculture and advanced manufacturing.
Voters will be asked to consider the millage request for a 10-year period. If approved, it would generate $3.4 million in the first year.
If passed by voters, the millage would represent a tax increase of $22.50 per year for the owner of a home valued at $100,000.
"We've given this proposal a lot of thought," added Miller. "We understand the economic landscape that everyone is facing. But, we also realize that the longer we wait, the more expensive it becomes to solve the problems. Unfortunately, the issues that must be addressed won't go away."