Benzie County

05/30/2026

When you vote in the Primary Election on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, you will see a proposal to reset the General Operating Millage.

Because this impacts both county and township services, we want to ensure everyone has the facts:

What it funds: Essential daily operations, including Sheriff’s road patrol, emergency management, local courts, animal control, and some township services.

Why it’s on the ballot: Over the last 44 years, the Headlee Amendment has gradually reduced our funding rates. This proposal asks voters whether to restore the millage to a previously approved level.

A Shared System: County and township operating millages are legally tied together—this vote affects local services at both levels of government.
Get the full breakdown, history, and FAQs before you head to the polls.

🔗 Learn more at: benzierenewal.org

On August 4th, Benzie County residents will vote on resetting the County and Township Operating Millages to previously approved limits — restoring funding for the services you depend on every day.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, Benzie County remembers the courageous men and women who gave everything in service to our country. Their sacrifice secures the freedoms we enjoy every single day in this place we love so much.

Wishing our entire Benzie community a safe, meaningful, and reflective day.

05/21/2026

Please join Benzie County in congratulating our very own School and Youth Resource Officer, Deputy Matthew McKinley, on receiving the prestigious Hometown Hero Award from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan!

Deputy McKinley’s dedication to mentoring, protecting, and supporting our community’s youth goes above and beyond every single day. We are incredibly proud to have his leadership and heart in our schools and community.

Thank you, Deputy McKinley, for your outstanding service and for being a true hero to our kids and community! 💙🏅🚓

Benzie County Sheriff's Office

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2026_0521_US_Hometown_Hero_Award_PR

05/20/2026

Ever wonder why local services may feel pinched even as property values rise? It comes down to a 1979 Michigan law called the Headlee Amendment. In 1982 Benzie voters approved a general operating millage of 5.29 mills to fund core services like the Sheriff's patrol, the County Clerk, local courts, and other essential operations. The Headlee amendment legally forces the county to "roll back" tax rates if property values grow faster than inflation and because of continuous rollbacks over the last 40+ years, that 5.29 rate has been chipped away to just over 3.2 mills.

While the cost of equipment, fuel, and technology has risen, the county's primary funding source has been systematically shrunk. This decades-long reduction limits our resources, delays vital maintenance, and stretches our public safety and county services thin.

05/18/2026

🚒 Celebrating EMS Week in Benzie County! 🚑

This National EMS Week, we are proud to recognize the incredible professionals of Benzie County EMS !

Day or night, rain or shine, our Paramedics and EMTs are on the front lines, ready to answer the call with skill and compassion. Their rapid response and dedication keep our community safe every single day.

To our EMS team: thank you for your unwavering commitment to public service and for being there when we need you most. You are true hometown heroes!

Join us in showing some love—drop a note of thanks in the comments below! 👇❤️

05/13/2026

We can't forget about our Correctional Officers! We also want to take a moment to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the dedicated team at the Benzie County Jail.

Our corrections officers and professional staff operate in a challenging, high-stakes environment 24/7, often out of the public eye. They are more than just the keepers of a facility; they are mentors, peacekeepers, and first responders who play a vital role in the safety of our community.

To our Benzie County Corrections team: We see you, and we thank you.

Thank you for your:

Integrity: Maintaining professionalism in every interaction.

Vigilance: Keeping our facility and the public safe at all hours.

Commitment: Your dedication to the rehabilitation and well-being of those in your care.

We are incredibly proud of the men and women who serve in this essential role. Please join us in the comments below by sharing a note of appreciation for our Corrections and our Benzie County Sheriff Patrol Deputies team! ⬇️

05/12/2026

👮‍♂️ Honoring Our Heroes: National Police Officers Week 👮‍♀️

This week, we join communities across the nation in celebrating National Police Officers Week. It is a time to honor those who have answered the call to serve and protect, often putting the safety of others above their own.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Benzie County Sheriff’s Office and all of our neighboring law enforcement agencies. Your dedication to our residents, your professionalism in the face of challenges, and your unwavering commitment to keeping our streets and homes safe do not go unnoticed.

Our community is stronger and safer because of your service.

Please join us this week in showing your appreciation for the men and women in law enforcement who serve Benzie County and our surrounding areas. If you see an officer out and about, take a moment to say thanks!

05/08/2026

Happy Friday, Benzie County! As we head into the weekend, we wanted to share a quick reminder about our upcoming Board of Commissioners meeting.

📅 When: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
🕘 Time: 9:00 a.m.
📍 Where: Frank Walterhouse Meeting Room, Benzie County Government Center (Beulah) or stream live on YouTube!

Our Board meetings are a great way to stay informed about local projects, policies, and the work being done across our community. We hope to see you there!

View the upcoming agenda and packet on our website.

In the meantime, we hope you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend ahead. ☀️🌲

Districts and Townships MapsSee the Commissioner Districts map below and the "Areas Represented" column in the table above to see the townships covered by each district.

05/07/2026

Local government works best when our citizens are engaged. From public safety to essential services, your input shapes our community’s future.

As we look toward the summer and the August 4, 2026 election, it’s a great time to get informed on key topics—including the General Operating Millage Reset. This proposal is vital for maintaining the county services we all rely on.

Watch this page for educational posts on the millage reset and visit our website at www.benzieco.gov/headlee

Community members are also encouraged to come to the Board of Commissioner meeting held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month beginning at 9:00 a.m. Don't forget, if you can't attend in person, these meetings are streamed live on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/

Let’s work together to keep Benzie County thriving. 🌲✨

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04/27/2026

Congratulations to our Benzie County local Victims Services Unit for earning VSU of the year! We appreciate your dedication to our community!