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HOUGHTON COUNTY – Several proposals will appear on the ballot of Houghton County’s November 4 special election. These include school proposals and village and city proposals.

School proposals

• Hancock Public Schools:

Hancock Public Schools General Obligation Unlimited Tax Bond Proposal for building and site purposes in the amount not to exceed $13 million.

The proposal is a renewal on debts the school district has had from previous bonds, from 1999 and 2000. They were refinanced twice and now with the levy where it is, said Superintendent Chris Salani, the school district has the capacity to extend the life of the current debt for an additional 15 years.

The proposal would fund essential updates to aging school buildings and support student learning. If passed, the funding would include upgrades to the elementary, middle and high school buildings’ heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, along with electrical and wiring, boiler replacement, upgrades in classroom furniture to support group work, flexible seating and modern learning. In the middle/high school building, restrooms would be renovated for ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliance.

• Houghton-Portage Township Schools

Houghton-Portage Township School District Operating Millage Renewal Proposal Exempting Principal Residence and other Property Exempted by Law 17.1103 Mills for five years. This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2025 tax levy.

• Ewen-Trout Creek Schools (Duncan Township)

Ewen-Trout Creek Consolidated School District Operating Millage Proposal This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2026 tax levy.

Village Proposals

Copper City: Millage Renewal for Fire Protection. The Copper City fire protection millage renewal is a ballot proposal to renew a levy of up to 0.5 mills for fire protection in the Village of Copper City, from Fiscal Year 2025 to 2029. If approved, it is intended to provide funds for fire protection, in accordance with an agreement with the Village of Ahmeek, and is projected to raise approximately $1,074.84 in the first year.

City Proposals

The city of Houghton has four proposals, requesting changes to its charter.

• Charter Amendment Proposal No.1. It is proposed that the City of Houghton Charter be amended to change all gender specific

terminology to gender neutral terms, making it clear that the Charter applies equally to all persons regardless of gender.

• City of Houghton Charter Amendment Proposal No.2. This proposal, if passed, would prohibit private gain by public officials and employees, specify events that create a potential conflict of interest, and prohibit officials or employees from participating in or voting or acting upon any potential conflict (excepting employment agreements and actions where a public official or employee receives a benefit as a member of the public); and (2) require the city council to create a conflict of interest ordinance.

• City of Houghton Charter Amendment No.3 regarding filling vacancies. It is proposed that this section be amended to remove the requirement for concurrence by the county elections scheduling committee for special elections, the requirement that a special election be called at least 45 days in advance of the election, and to allow for special elections to be held when called by resolution to the city council in accordance with state authorized elections dates.

• City of Houghton Charter Amendment No. 4. Amendment to the City of Houghton Charter Section 3.2 Biennial and Special Elections. It is proposed that this section be amended to remove the requirement for concurrence by the county elections scheduling committee for special elections, the requirement that a special election be called at least 45 days in advance of the election, and to allow for special elections to be held

when called by resolution of the city council in accordance with state authorized elections dates.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m.