By Staff
BENTON HARBOR – Lake Michigan College is determined to meet current and future demands of employers in new and developing segments of the region's economy, with educational and job training programs these job providers will need.
To support these efforts, voters will be asked to consider a millage request in this year's November election to renovate and expand several aging campus facilities.
During its June meeting, the LMC Board of Trustees voted unanimously to seek a millage increase from district voters for the minimum amount necessary to provide the funding for improvements, operations and expansion of educational and job training programs. The millage increase requested will be less than one-half mill (0.49 mills) for a period of 10 years. This translates into a tax increase of $24.50 per year for every $100,000 of market value, $50,000 of taxable value for homeowners, for a period of 10 years. This is the equivalent of $2.04 per month.
LMC's request represents the first time in 20 years voters have been asked to increase the college's millage rate. (In 1996 voters approved a transfer of one-quarter of a mil from debt retirement of a bond to the college's operational fund. The approval of the levy did not increase the amount of taxes residents paid.) LMC's current millage rate is 1.7946, seventh lowest among the 28 Michigan community colleges.
"Lake Michigan College has a long history of sound financial management of college operations, allowing us to deliver the greatest value possible to both students and area employers," said LMC board Chairman Steve Silcox. "However, we cannot count on state government to provide the funding that is needed."