Please see the link below
Voter Information on May 2nd 2023 Election
The purpose of this information is to provide you with data regarding the upcoming May 2nd, 2023, Election, and the proposed Millage request of 1.5 per $1000 of property taxable valuation.
Prior to August 13th, 2022, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were provided by Sault Fire/ambulance Services from 6 Mile Road to 9 Mile Road in Bruce Township and Pickford Emergency Medical Services provide coverage for Ambulance needs from 9 Mile Road/south to the rest of Bruce Township
On August 13th, 2022, we received a letter from Pickford Township which reads “This letter is to unfortunately let you know, Pickford Township will not be offering EMS Services to Bruce Township, as of September 15, 2022. Until that date, Pickford Township will continue to provide EMS services as in the past. This is a decision that was not easily made and does not reflect any negativity towards your Township.”
After receiving the above notice, the Township Board had two (2) options. 1, do nothing and see what happens or 2, get EMS service from another source. After much discussion, it was decided to put the question to the Bruce Township Voter’s in a scheduled May 2nd, 2023, election. Please note that Bruce Township was paying approximately $50,000 for ambulance service provided by Pickford and Sault Ste Marie prior to Pickford’s notice.
The Bruce Township Board was informed that the cost for ambulance service from Kinross EMS is $96,000 per year and the Board entered into a contract with Kinross EMS until March 31, 2023. The amount that the Bruce Township Board is asking for is $131,426. Which will cover the increased Ambulance cost plus allow some funding for the Fire Department. Please note that this amount will decrease in the following years due to the Headlee Amendment.
The ballot language for the proposed increase in Bruce Township Millage rate is listed below.
Fire and Emergency Medical Services MILLAGE Shall Bruce Township, impose a new levy against all properties in Bruce Township, as provided by Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 by an amount not to exceed 1.50 mills ($1.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for a period of four years, 2023 through 2026 for the purpose of funding fire and ambulance services, which will raise in the first year an estimated $ 131,426.71. [ ] Yes [ ] No
