Details: The lone St. Joseph County millage proposal on this November’s ballot
The proposal asks voters to renew a 0.9-mill property tax for five years, from January 2026 through December 2030, to fund county emergency communication services. The measure represents a decrease from the current rate, which expires at the end of 2025, and would generate $0.90 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, according to St. Joseph County Central Dispatch.
Voters in St. Joseph County will consider a renewal of the county’s 911 Central Dispatch millage on Tuesday, November 4 — the only millage proposal on this year’s countywide ballot.
The proposal asks voters to renew a 0.9-mill property tax for five years, from January 2026 through December 2030, to fund county emergency communication services. The measure represents a decrease from the current rate, which expires at the end of 2025, and would generate $0.90 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, according to St. Joseph County Central Dispatch.
Funds raised through the millage support maintenance of the county’s 911 telephone system, around-the-clock dispatch operations for police, fire, and emergency medical services, and upkeep of the 800 MHz radio network that connects first responders throughout the county. The renewal would also continue funding for technology improvements such as Text-to-911 — in cases where people cannot speak, or it is not safe to speak, they may text directly to 911 if they have an emergency — and after-hours emergency contact services for departments including public works and utilities.
St. Joseph County Central Dispatch operates the county’s emergency communications system, fielding both 911 and non-emergency calls. The agency dispatches a total of 22 police, fire, and ambulance services, and serves as an after-hours answering point for several county departments. Fourteen full-time and two part-time staff provide service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to the county’s roughly 61,000 residents across 512 square miles.
The center also houses the county’s Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates multi-agency responses during large-scale or long-duration events.
According to county officials, this ballot measure is a renewal of an existing millage rather than a new tax. If approved, it would ensure continued funding for Central Dispatch services through the end of the decade.
For more information about the proposal or St. Joseph County Central Dispatch services, visit here or contact the dispatch center at (269) 467-4195.
Related Articles
Three Rivers mayor proposes homelessness prevention and response task force
The task force could include seven to 15 members appointed by the mayor and city commission, including city leadership (mayor or designee, police chief and city manager), a county Department of Health and Human Services representative, a school district liaison, a local housing authority or landlord representative, a mental health provider, a nonprofit or faith-based representative, a foster care transition coordinator, two community members with lived experience, a local business representative and, if possible, a legal aid or court representative.
Sturgis City Commission finalizes recycling contract, approves fire truck purchase amid heated public comment on homelessness
A local laundromat owner, Alvie Wall, told commissioners he has dealt with repeated vandalism and theft and said he feels the city has failed to address the issue.
“I know you’re sympathetic to the homeless. You feel bad because they’re homeless,” Wall said. “They choose to be homeless. Big deal. That’s their deal. Be homeless all you want, but stop vandalizing my stuff.”
Commission newcomer Anthony Stanfill elected mayor pro-tem on split vote
Commissioner Stanfill and First District Commissioner Pat Dane were both nominated for the role. Dane, who has been on the commission since 2017, was contrasted with Stanfill, who has been on the commission for just over a month. The vote went as follows:
For Stanfill: Commissioners Lucas Allen, Anthony Stanfill, Carolyn McNary, and Mayor Angel Johnston.
For Dane: Commissioners Steven Haigh, Torrey Brown, and Pat Dane.
