On Tuesday, Ingham County voters will decide the fate of a proposed new millage to provide services for older residents of the county.
The proposal would bring in money to pay for services like in-home care and meals on wheels provided to Ingham County residents age 60 and older.
Todd Tennis is on the county board of commissioners human services committee. He says the older population has a growing need for such services.
“And if we’ve learned nothing else from this current pandemic, it’s that people are a lot healthier and safer when they stay at home, particularly those who are older,” said Tennis.
Tennis says the state has tried to keep up with these services, but hasn’t been able to, and demand is increasing. Waiting lists for local programs are getting longer, a trend he expects would worsen if this proposal fails at the ballot box.
If approved by voters, the 0.3 mills would raise $2.3-million in the first calendar year, and would be in effect for four years. It would cost the owner of a home worth $100-thousand dollars about $15 a year.