Gratiot CountyWhistleblowerFacts. Records. Accountability. Support
Resident guideGratiot County

Where does my Gratiot County property tax go?

A Gratiot County property tax bill adds up separate rates, called mills, set by different bodies: the county, your township or city, your school district, the Gratiot-Isabella RESD, a community college district, the State Education Tax and any authority that levies. In 2026 the county's own two rates total 8.3922 mills, which the county's apportionment report estimates will raise $16,910,414.07.

What is a mill?

Millage, mill. A mill equals one one-thousandth of a dollar: $1 of tax for each $1,000 of taxable value. Millage is a tax rate stated in mills. (Michigan Legislature, Taxpayer's Guide, Property tax section) Taxable value. The value on which Michigan property tax is figured. By statute it is generally the lesser of two figures: one built from the prior year's taxable value, the other the current state equalized valuation. (Michigan Compiled Laws, General Property Tax Act, MCL 211.27a(2))

What is the county's share?

The county's 2026 report puts Gratiot County's taxable value at $2,015,015,615. The county's allocated rate of 5.5206 mills is estimated to raise $11,124,095.23 and its voter-approved extra operating rate of 2.8716 mills $5,786,318.84, for a total of $16,910,414.07. The county debt rate is 0.0000. The two rates add up to 8.3922 mills, the same levy reported when the board adopted its 2027 budget (County Adopts 2027 Budget and 8.3922-Mill Levy; Sets Elected Officials’ Pay). Source: County Apportionment Report Puts $16.9 Million in County Taxes on 2026 Bills.

What do cities, schools and authorities collect?

The same report lists estimated local tax dollars for 16 townships, three cities and three villages, plus authorities, a college and school districts. Examples from the report (all estimates):

  • Alma (city): $4,188,679.72, on a charter rate of 13.8410 mills
  • Ithaca (city): $1,447,532.23
  • St. Louis (city): $911,702.28
  • Alma Public Schools: $6,559,244.52, including a 7.0000-mill debt rate
  • Ithaca Public Schools: $2,938,973.20
  • St. Louis Public Schools: $2,870,161.78
  • Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District: $10,142,410.01, including $9,652,366.77 from a 5.2000-mill extra-voted operating rate
  • Gratiot Emergency Services Authority: 1.5000 mills
  • 6-mill State Education Tax: an estimated $9,456,214.29
The report is described in full in County Apportionment Report Puts $16.9 Million in County Taxes on 2026 Bills.

How do I check my own bill?

The report's last page gives each township and city a total homestead and non-homestead rate for every school district that overlaps it. Find your township or city and your school district on your bill and compare. The report is an attachment to the county board's Oct. 6, 2026 agenda (Resolution 26-463), and the same agenda is on the county's BoardBook page.

What does the report not say?

It does not say whether any levy was reduced under the Headlee rollback, and it does not say how 2026 taxable value compares with last year's. Headlee rollback. If the assessed value of existing property grows faster than the general price level, the Michigan Constitution requires a local government's maximum authorized tax rate to be reduced. (Michigan Constitution, Article IX, section 31; see also MCL 211.34d) The board's Oct. 6 agenda listed approval of the report; the outcome will be on our meetings page and in our reports.

Who decides the county's share?

Apportionment. Under the General Property Tax Act, the county board of commissioners determines the amount of money to be raised for county purposes and apportions it. (Michigan Compiled Laws, General Property Tax Act, MCL 211.37)

Sources

Keep reading