2026 Millage FAQ

November 3, 2026

2026 Millage FAQs

Our goal is to support informed decision-making by sharing clear, factual and accurate information.

Every ten years, Michigan community colleges must seek voter approval to continue receiving local property tax support. On November 3, 2026, Emmet County voters will be asked to consider North Central Michigan College’s operational millage proposal.

The questions and answers below are designed to help community members, students, taxpayers, and local employers better understand what the proposal would do, how it would be funded, and what it means for our region.

General Questions About the Millage

The proposal asks Emmet County voters to approve a renewal and restoration of North Central Michigan College’s operating millage. This would return property tax support to the level voters approved in 2016 and allow the college to maintain current programs, services, and operations.

Michigan law requires community colleges to seek voter approval of property tax support every 10 years. At the same time, state funding has not kept pace with rising costs, making local support increasingly important to sustain college operations.

No. This is a renewal and restoration of an existing millage, not a brand-new tax.

All registered voters in Emmet County may vote on the millage.

For millage inquiries please contact Carol Laenen, VP for Strategy & Special Projects, at claenen@ncmich.edu.

Questions About Cost and Impact to Taxpayers

If the millage passes:

  • A home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay about $6.31 more per year (approximately $0.52 per month).

  • A home with a taxable value of $225,000 (about a $450,000 market value) would pay about $13.72 more per year (about $1.14 per month).

In Michigan, property taxes are based on taxable value, which is approximately half of a home’s market (sale) value.

Millage funds support day-to-day college operations, including:

  • Instruction and academic programs

  • Student support services

  • Facility maintenance and utilities

  • Workforce and community programs

All funds stay local and are used to benefit students, employers, and the regional economy.

Millage funds are publicly reported and transparently managed, with annual financial reporting. Reporting can be found on our website at the very bottom of every page - click on the Transparency Reporting logo.

Questions from Students and Families

The millage helps North Central:

  • Keep tuition affordable

  • Maintain a wide range of transfer, career, and technical programs

  • Support student services such as advising, tutoring, and career services

  • Ensure facilities remain safe and functional

Millage dollars do not directly fund individual scholarships, but they help control operating costs, which supports affordability and access overall.

The millage helps reduce pressure to raise tuition by providing stable local funding to support existing operations.

Questions from Business Owners and Employers

North Central provides:

  • Workforce and customized training

  • Career and technical education aligned with regional labor needs

  • Internships, job fairs, and career services

  • Partnerships that help grow the local talent pipeline

A strong community college:

  • Supplies a skilled workforce

  • Attracts and retains employers

  • Strengthens the regional economy
    NCMC alumni alone generate tens of millions of dollars annually in regional economic impact.

Yes. Millage support helps sustain career and technical programs, including skilled trades, health sciences, and emerging workforce pathways.

Questions About Community Impact

North Central offers:

  • Lifelong learning and enrichment classes

  • Free tuition for seniors

  • Community lectures and events

  • Recreation and wellness facilities

  • Natural areas, trails, and community-use spaces

  • Youth programs and educational outreach

Yes. The millage helps support services such as career services, job fairs, youth programs, and partnerships that address regional needs like healthcare, childcare, and housing.

Without renewal and restoration of the millage, the college would face reduced revenue of approximately 20% of its total operating revenue, which could impact programs, services, staffing, and long-term sustainability.

Questions About Accountability and Purpose

This is an operational millage, not a construction bond. It supports ongoing operations, not major new building projects.

Yes. North Central:

  • Maintains accreditation and national recognitions

  • Demonstrates strong student outcomes

  • Provides public financial reporting

  • Has a long track record of serving the region responsibly

North Central:

  • Expands educational access

  • Strengthens the local workforce

  • Boosts the regional economy

  • Improves quality of life across the community

In short, the community college is a shared resource that benefits the entire region.