Howard Township residents will decide whether or not to fund the construction of a new combined fire station and township hall during next week’s primary election.

On the ballot is a proposal for a millage request of .8515 mills for 40 years that would pay for the estimated $3.5 million project.

The millage request would cost the average homeowner in Howard Township approximately $44.39 a year, according to township officials. That number is based on a property owner whose home has a taxable value of $52,217.

The election will take place Tuesday. This proposal only applies to people living in Howard Township, which is located in Cass County.

The size of the new facility would be 15,200 square feet and house both the new fire station and township hall. It would be built at the site of the current fire station at the intersection of Barron Lake Road and Lake Shore Road.

Howard Township Supervisor Craig Bradfield said the plan was formed after Wightman & Associates performed an inspection and report of the condition of both buildings in the spring of 2015. Bradfield said the report determined it would be too costly to perform all of the necessary repairs to both buildings and that both buildings had a limited life expectancy remaining.

Chief Ed Leneway, of the fire department, said fixing the roof of the fire department would cost more than the building was worth. He said the current building is not large enough to accommodate modern firefighting vehicles and equipment.

“That building was built in 1948 back when fire trucks were a lot smaller,” he said. “Anytime we have to buy a truck, we have to buy not what we need but what will fit in our station.”

Using input from township officials and the public, Wightman & Associates recommended that the township construct a new building combining the fire station and township hall.

“They said it would be the most cost effective that way,” Bradfield said.

Bradfield said the new dual facility should last for the next 80 to 100 years, more than double the life of the millage. The fire station is 68 years old, while the township hall is 88 years old.

If the millage fails, township officials said the township could pursue a special assessment to pay for building a new fire station, the building that is in most immediate need of work. However, township officials said Wightman & Associates said the township hall would eventually need to be replaced and that doing both at the same time would ultimately save taxpayer dollars.

Township officials said the new facility would have the following benefits:

• Compliance with the ADA

• Ease of access

• Decreased utility costs

• Services at one location

• Room for training sessions

• Increased meeting room capacity

• Possible placing all voting precincts in one building

If the millage passes, work could begin as soon as next spring. Bradfield said the township would likely rent out of the current township hall for events.