Today NMC President Nick Nissley reviewed the details of the Benzie annexation proposal up for consideration on the November ballot.
In his PowerPoint presentation Dr. Nissley explained how Benzie County residents will have the opportunity in November to join the Northwestern Michigan College District. Voters will see two separate ballot questions:
- The first asks whether the annexation proposal should pass.
- The second asks whether the millage should pass.
Both must pass for the annexation to take effect. If it does, this will:
- Allow all local residents to pay the lower in-district tuition rate, which is less than half the out-of-district rate; and those who are eligible for the Community College Guarantee or Michigan Reconnect would receive free tuition.
- Expand access to specialized certificates, associate's degree programs and bachelor's degree programs.
- Prepare students for good-paying jobs with real-world hands-on training--including careers in health care, the skilled trades, law enforcement and culinary.
The annexation proposal offers additional benefits for Benzie County. If approved, NMC will invest approximately $2 Million every year in Benzie County facilities, staff, programs and more. NMC would expand the Board of Trustees to include two Benzie County residents and would establish a Benzie County Advisory Board to ensure input to the spending of the $2 Million investment.
The NMC Annexation and Millage Proposal would create a 2.033-mill property tax in Benzie County, with median-price homeowners paying $254 per year, or about $21 per month based on the average taxable value. In return for the millage Benzie County would get:
- With the Governor's Community College Guarantee, a tuition-free pathway to an associate degree (for in-district students).
- A $2 million annual investment in Benzie County.
- Programs and facility in Benzie County
- Increased lifetime earnings of college graduates and increased spending in Benzie County.