Eaton County residents vote no on millage property tax increase

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Voters in Eaton County have said "No" to a millage tax proposal in yesterday's election. The proposal was defeated with 51.7% of voters saying no and 48.3% saying yes.

After a financial review found the county was facing an estimated $26 million budget deficit by the 2026 fiscal year, the County Commission asked voters for a property tax increase through raised millages.

Voters were asked to approve a 3-mill property tax increase. In September, Eaton County Communications Director Logan Bailey said the increase translates to $18 a month or $216 a year on the average property tax bill.

Since the millage proposal didn't exactly go as planned, officials told 6 News in September that the consequences would dramatically reshape the services and activities the county can offer.