Citizens for the Muskegon County Senior Millage

Citizens for the Muskegon County Senior MillageCitizens for the Muskegon County Senior MillageCitizens for the Muskegon County Senior Millage

Citizens for the Muskegon County Senior Millage

Citizens for the Muskegon County Senior MillageCitizens for the Muskegon County Senior MillageCitizens for the Muskegon County Senior Millage

Muskegon County Senior Millage Renewal Vote August 6, 2024!

Muskegon County Senior Millage Renewal Vote August 6, 2024!Muskegon County Senior Millage Renewal Vote August 6, 2024!Muskegon County Senior Millage Renewal Vote August 6, 2024!

Muskegon County Senior Millage Renewal Vote August 6, 2024!

Muskegon County Senior Millage Renewal Vote August 6, 2024!Muskegon County Senior Millage Renewal Vote August 6, 2024!Muskegon County Senior Millage Renewal Vote August 6, 2024!

Why a Senior Millage?

Helping adults age with dignity and independence

The Muskegon County Senior Millage began in late 2016, and provides services and programs for county adults 60 years of age and older.

Reaching the entire county

The Muskegon County Senior Millage has provided services to thousands of older adults in every community in the county.

Learn how your support made a meaningful impact to neighbors in your community.

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It takes resources to run a successful campaign - both financial and human. 



Send a donation to: Citizens for the Muskegon County Senior Millage

2940 Beach St., Muskegon MI 49441 


Donations are also accepted via Venmo:

@CitizensMCSM



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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Please reach us at  if you cannot find an answer to your question.

     First voted on in August 2016, the millage (0.50 mill) was put on the ballot to raise funds to assist senior citizens living in Muskegon County improve their quality of life and remain as independent as possible. The millage was passed by an impressive 60% majority of voters. (The original 0.50 mill is reduced to 0.4921 due to the Headlee rollback.)  The renewal request is for 8 years.

    Muskegon County residents 60 years and older are eligible for services. Some services may require an assessment of need, others do not. 

    In the second paragraph of the renewal question it refers to capturing a portion of revenue for downtown development authorities, tax increment authorities, local development finance authorities, and the brownfield redevelopment authorities in several municipalities.


    This means that those municipalities MAY capture an increase in property taxes for specific properties in designated areas - areas may be blighted or otherwise in need of redevelopment. Often the tax capture is used for businesses that are promising new jobs.


    This is not a redirection of funds; it indicates that those communities MAY have exempted some property owners from taxes for a set amount of years. Such a tax capture also impacts things like millages for central dispatch, the county museum, veterans, etc.


    The senior millage has brought in well over $2 million each year since 2016. You can find annual reports of the expenditures at https://seniorresourceswmi.org/muskegon-county-senior.../. For more information, visit muskegoncountyseniormillage.com. 

      

    There are currently more than 20 organizations and governmental units receiving funding via grants. Grants are given in service areas that include education, health, housing, legal services, mobility and transportation, nutrition, and social/recreational/emotional supports. 

    A complete list of which organizations and governmental units receive funding through grant proposals can be found at: https://seniorresourceswmi.org/muskegon-county-senior-millage/

      

    The 0.4921 mill costs the owner of a $225,000 home an extra $55.36 a year or about 15 cents per day; a $100,000 home would be about $25 per year or just under 7 cents per day.  

      

    The population continues to age, and that is expected to continue for many years. Nearly 25% of the state’s population is over age 60, and 37% are 50 and older. Those 85 and older are the fastest-growing age group of all. Helping older adults age in place is not only what 9 of 10 people indicate they desire; it’s also more economical. Care in the home is significantly lower than the cost of care in a skilled nursing facility.

      

    Muskegon County collects just over $2,500,000/$2.5 million every year. The money is allocated as follows: 

    · 25% goes directly to governmental units (cities, villages, and townships) based on how many seniors live in each jurisdiction. Each city or township decides how to use the money for the benefit of seniors in their area. Some examples are: funding to support the SafeSeniors program (to prevent abuse and exploitation), snowplowing, food and nutrition services, utility bill assistance, social programs, home security, wellness activities, and much more. 

    · 75% is distributed to nonprofit organizations, cities, and townships based on grant proposals they submit to the Senior Activities Committee, whose members are appointed by the Muskegon County Commissioners to review the grants and recommend funding.  This committee issues requests for proposals, reviews the grant proposals submitted, and recommends funding to the Muskegon County Commission, which has final approval. Included in the 75% of funding is an allocation made to Senior Resources of West Michigan to supplement the work they do in helping seniors remain independent as our area agency on aging. The funding they receive is used to support seniors through case coordination, personal care services, respite care for caregivers, Medicaid/Medicare assistance, and many other services.

    · An administrative fee is paid for administration and oversight of grant-funded projects.

     Muskegon County government contracts with Senior Resources of West Michigan to administer the funds allocated through a grant process. Senior Resources is our area agency on aging. Area agencies on aging were created by Congress through the Older Americans Act to be the local experts on all aspects of growing older in each area. Senior Resources checks to see that organizations receiving funds have the capacity to carry out programs, have the proper insurance in place, have proper accounting systems, and methods for recipients of service to register their concerns. Organizations receiving money must report to Senior Resources who was served and make sure they are over 60. Organizations only receive funding after the services have been provided and documented, assuring that tax dollars are used as intended.   

      

    You can see who receives grant funding and the organization’s contact information at: https://seniorresourceswmi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/MCSM-Provider-List-rev9252023.pdf

     

    The programs currently funded by the senior millage – both through the grants process and municipal funding – would likely go away or be greatly reduced unless those providing the services found different funding. Wait lists for programs such as home-delivered meals, transportation, and home care, would continue to grow. The needs of some frail and vulnerable older adults could be unmet, and the burden and stress on families and caregivers could increase. Costs of out-of-home care such as nursing homes can be a large financial burden that could wipe out savings for many older adults, who would then need to rely on taxpayer dollars through Medicaid.

      

    A millage renewal effort takes resources. You can donate to Citizens FOR the Muskegon County Millage by sending a check to: 


    Citizens FOR the Muskegon County Senior Millage

    2940 Beach Street

    Muskegon, MI49441

    This is the address of our campaign treasurer. 


    Do you know of any grass roots organization that would like to hear our message? If yes, please email gscott117@comcast.net. 

    Make a Donation


    Send checks to Citizens for the Muskegon County Senior Millage, 2940 Beach St., Muskegon MI 49441.


    Donations are also accepted via Venmo:

    @CitizensMCSM

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