By Robert Tomlinson
News Director
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Residents of St. Joseph County will be deciding on some important items on the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election ballot.
From millage requests to local officeholders, there will be something for everyone to vote on when the polls open up in just a few days.
Here’s a quick preview of what voters will find on their ballots this November and in which precincts they will be found:
St. Joseph County Emergency 911 Millage Renewal (Countywide)
The biggest item on this ballot for the entirety of St. Joseph County, voters will be deciding on whether to renew the operating millage for the county’s Central Dispatch/911 service.
Voters will be asked if they’d like to renew the existing millage at a 0.9 mill rate for five years. The millage rate is a decrease from its current 0.9864 level being levied this year, which itself was a reduction from the 1-mill levy renewal approved by voters in 2019. It is expected to generate approximately $2,627,535 for 911 in the first year. It is not a new tax, but rather a continuation of one that is already in place.
If voters select yes, the millage will be renewed. If voters select no, the millage would not be renewed.
Stacey Bower, the county’s 911 director, said in an interview earlier this month that money from the operating millage, in conjunction with other funding sources, helps pay for personnel, upkeep of its radio system and towers, the infrastructure for 911 services, any software or computer systems dispatchers use to answer and dispatch 911 calls, and its text-to-911 service.
“Pretty much everything in the center is what it funds,” Bower said. “Without those programs, we would be paper, pencil, a lot slower, and a lot more room for error. All those things help things move along much quicker and with a lot less errors.”
Three Rivers City Commission (Three Rivers City only)
The other marquee ballot item in the county will be in the City of Three Rivers, where voters in the city limits will be making their voices heard in what is turning into a heated race for one of its city commission seats.
Incumbent Mayor Tom Lowry is up for re-election for his 14th non-consecutive term in the top seat on the City Commission, facing off against on-ballot challenger Angel Johnston and write-in candidate Nathan Walden.
Lowry said in an interview earlier this month that he believes the city is being run well so far, and that he has the experience and knowledge of how government works, compared to his opponents, to be an effective mayor for the city.
“I can bring a level of experience that I think is very helpful. I still believe in public service. Whether I’m mayor or not, as mayor, I can give back the skill set that I have. But even if I wasn’t mayor, I will still give back to this community with every penny I can because it’s home,” Lowry said. “I will always give back. But I believe that I have a skill set that is good for this city. God knows I have the best intentions for this. My goal is always to be the best for the common good.”
Johnston, who has a background in organizing campaigns for politicians and has a master’s degree in public administration from Western Michigan University, said that she’d “let the people lead” if she is elected, and make city government more accessible for residents.
“I think it’s very important that we get people to participate and that everybody here feels like they have a voice and that their voice matters, and that’s going to bring us a lot of hometown pride,” Johnston said in an interview earlier this month. “And that’s the heart of what I want to do for our community is make everybody proud to live in Three Rivers and feel like they belong.
“I have the right education and the right passion and I’m ready to be everybody’s friend.”
Walden, the write-in candidate who is running for office for the first time, said he’d be a candidate for “something different” in local government.
“People should choose me for a change, for something different, for somebody who wants to make a difference, for somebody who wants to stand up for everybody, not just the big people,” Walden said. “I want to unite everybody. We all deserve something better, and as mayor, I will thrive, and I will give 100 percent to make things better.”
Elsewhere in the City Commission races, incumbent Torrey Brown is the lone candidate for the At-Large Commissioner seat up for election, incumbent Pat Dane is the lone candidate for the First District seat on the commission, and Anthony Stanfill is a write-in candidate and sole candidate for the Third District seat.
Constantine Public Schools Operating Millage (Constantine Township, Fabius Township, Florence Township, Mottville Township)
Constantine Public Schools will be seeking a renewal of its operating millage at the statutory maximum on the November ballot.
The district is seeking to restore the operating millage to 18 mills through 2032, as the millage is currently at 16.7441. The millage has been reduced over the last few years by the Headlee Amendment, which requires that millage rates are reduced when property values grow faster than the rate of inflation.
To combat future Headlee rollbacks, the district is seeking an administrative levy of 19.2241 mills under the renewal, however only 18 mills would actually be levied by the district, as that is the maximum that can be levied. The district says, according to its website, that the 18-mill levy would be maintained for the next eight years if the millage is passed, which would allow the district to get full state funding.
The 18-mill levy will only impact non-homestead properties, which are businesses, second homes and rental properties. People’s primary residences would not be taxed under the millage.
A “yes” vote on the millage would approve the millage renewal, while a “no” vote would not approve the millage renewal. The district estimates that if the millage is not renewed, they could “lose more than $900,000 in state funding over the next five years.”
Bronson Community Schools District Bond Proposal (Burr Oak Township)
Residents in Burr Oak Township will have a bit of a say in whether a Branch County school district’s bond proposal gets approved.
Bronson Community Schools is seeking a 4.98 mill bond proposal that would be used to make site improvements and build an addition to Anderson Elementary, as well as construct a new eight-lane track at the high school to replace the current six-lane track, which cannot host events due to athlete safety.
The bond is slated to generate $29.9 million and be sold in three series between 2026 and 2028, with the Anderson Elementary projects to be done over the three-year period and the athletic track project to take place in the first year.
A “yes” vote on the bond would approve it, while a “no” vote would not approve the bond.
Where to Vote
St. Joseph County residents can vote absentee now or vote on Election Day at the precinct locations listed below. There is no early voting location available, as that voting method is not available for local elections.
- Burr Oak Township: Township Hall – 208 Front St.
- Colon Township: Township Hall – 132 N. Blackstone Ave.
- Constantine Township: Township Hall – 67125 Business Route 131
- Fabius Township: Township Hall – 13108 W. Broadway Rd.
- Fawn River Township: Township Hall – 31194 Fawn River Rd.
- Florence Township: Township Hall – Corner of Banker Street & Burgener Road
- Flowerfield Township: Township Hall – Corner of M-216 & Creglow Road
- Leonidas Township: Township Hall – 30970 King Rd.
- Lockport Township: Township Hall – Corner of Holtom Road & River Road
- Mendon Township: Township Hall – 136 W. Main St.
- Mottville Township: Township Hall – 68596 Thomas Rd.
- Nottawa Township: Township Hall – 112 S. Clark St.
- Park Township: Township Hall – 53640 Parkville Rd.
- Sherman Township: Township Hall – 64962 Balk Rd. (Corner of Balk & Featherstone Road)
- Sturgis Township: Township Hall – 26015 W. US 12
- White Pigeon Township: Township Hall – 16975 US 12
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at those locations.
Robert Tomlinson can be reached at 279-7488 or robert@wilcoxnewspapers.com.
