Cass County voters on Tuesday resoundingly defeated a one-mill, five-year plan to maintain primary roads.
The mill lost every one of the county’s 22 precincts, including in Dowagiac by margins of: 49-116 in First Ward; 91-112 in Second Ward; and 55-76 in Third Ward.
The final total was 4,874 no to 2,740 yes.
A similar request was rejected in 2008.
This mill would have generated $1.8 million for 2012 from $45 property tax for the owner of a median value home.
Now, the road commission will not be able to upgrade roads with daily usage averaging at least 2,000 vehicles, which addresses but 169 miles of a 269-mile network.
Since four years ago, the road commission shed $895,234 in land and equipment and reduced its workforce 29 percent, including seven shop and six office positions.

Voters sink Cass Public Schools fund

Cassopolis Public Schools asked voters to consider a .8379 millage renewal proposal for 10 years for its building and site sinking fund, but that lost, 652 “no” to 604 “yes.”
The sinking fund for 2013 to 2022 would continue to provide for construction and repair of school buildings.
The school district stood to collect $315,000 in 2013 had it passed.

Marcellus ESA renewed six years

Marcellus Township voters renewed a one-mill tax levy first approved Aug. 8, 2006. The levy, set to expire this year, passed 217 “yes” to 95 “no.”
The new six-year period runs 2013 through 2018 to provide funds for purchase and maintenance of equipment for fire and ambulance service through the Marcellus Area Emergency Services Association.
It is anticipated that revenue collected by the township as a result of this proposal will be approximately $66,000 in the first calendar year.

Hudson Memorial 0.5 mill
barely passes

Another Marcellus Township proposition renewing a half-mill voters approved Aug. 5, 2008, for four years, 2013 to 2016, squeaked by, 157 “yes” to 154 “no.”
Purpose of this 50-cent tax on each $1,000 assessed taxable valuation, as equalized, is to maintain and operate Hudson Memorial Building, a community center. This levy raises an estimated $33,000 in the first calendar year.

Newberg Township’s
resounding referendum

Shall the zoning ordinance and zoning map the Newberg Township board adopted April 11, 2011, be adopted? No, said 322, to 110 yes.
With 38,892 voters, Tuesday’s presidential primary turnout amounted to 11.69 percent.