Millage proposals will dominate May ballots and will be determined by voters in eight local municipalities when they head to the polls Tuesday, May 5. Mackinac Island, Les Cheneaux, Engadine, and Pickford voters will face contested school board races. Mackinac Island residents will determine who will represent them on city council as three candidates vie for two seats. Other Island city positions are uncontested.

The deadline for candidates to file a petition to be on the May ballot was Tuesday, February 10.

Ballot wording for proposals is not due until Tuesday, February 24, although some already are on file at the county clerk's office.

Voters have until Monday, April 6, to register to vote in the May election. Absentee ballots are expected to be available to registered voters beginning Wednesday, April 15.

Brevort Township

The township is seeking renewals of six mills for four years. One is for three mills for road improvements, estimated to raise approximately $100,000 each year. A one-mill levy is sought for operating expenses for the library and community center, which would raise about $30,000 annually. Two mills are requested for operating and capital equipment expenses for the fire department. The levy would collect approximately $65,000 each year.

Engadine Consolidated

Schools

Two four-year seats on the board are being sought by three candidates. Bobby Schroeder and Cindy Hartwig are challenging Incumbent Jim Ramelis. Incumbent Suzanne Beaudoin is seeking a one-year term and is unopposed.

The districts 18 operating mills will be up for renewal

DeTour Area Schools

DeTour Area Schools board incumbent Debbie Fountain is running unopposed.

Hudson Township

Hudson Township is seeking an increase of two mills for road improvements. The six-year levy will run from 2009 until 2015 and is expected to generate approximately $32,976 in revenue in the first year.

Les Cheneaux

Community Schools

Two candidates will seek one seat on the school board. Vernon Malkowski is running against incumbent Elizabeth Dunn. She was appointed to the board in January to complete Dan Burrows' four-year term, which ends June 30. Her appointment was effective until the May election.

Voters will consider an annual renewal of 18 mills for operation, assessed against non-homestead property. The millage is estimated to generate about $2,305,459.

Mackinac Island, Mackinac

Island Public Schools

City Council incumbents Frank Bloswick, Jr. and Michael Hart will compete for two seats with Sam Barnwell. The top two votegetters will be elected. Council terms are for three years and council members are paid $35 for each council meeting they attend. They are not paid to attend committee meetings.

Seeking her 34th term as mayor is Margaret Doud, who is unchallenged in the one-year position. Also running unopposed for oneyear terms are Karen Lennard, seeking her sixth term as city clerk, Rick Linn, running for his fifth term as treasurer, Ron Dufina, seeking his 27th term as supervisor, and Robert Benser, running for his 11th year as assessor.

School board incumbents Jason St. Onge and Leanne Brodeur will compete with Erin Bagbey Beck for two seats on the board. School board terms are for four years. Members are paid $35 for each board meeting and are not paid for committee meetings.

Also on the May ballot, the board of education is asking for a renewal of 7.4 mills for operations for five years. If passed, it would raise $1,223,216 in 2009.

The previous millage expired with the December tax bill and had been reduced by the school board to 7.1 mills.

Moran Township

School Board

Incumbents Janice O'Boyle and Nicole Brown are seeking two board seats. Last fall, Ed Radecki resigned from the board and Ms. Brown was appointed to his seat to serve until the next school election.

The board also is seeking a renewal of a 1.75 mill building and site sinking fund tax levy. The two-year levy is estimated to raise about $150,000 each year.

Pickford Public Schools

Two candidates, Lorri Brown and Christy Thurmes, are vying for one seat on the board at Pickford Public Schools. Incumbent Lawney Libby is not seeking another term.

Voters in the school district will be asked to consider an operating millage renewal of 18 mills levied against non-homestead property.

Portage Township

A new three-year, one mill levy is sought in Portage Township for capital improvements. The millage revenue would be used to purchase and maintain the former Curtis Elementary School building and property. The site is 34.42 acres. If passed, the levy is expected to raise about $72,447 beginning in 2009.

St. Ignace Area Schools

Incumbents Jane Weiss and Rick Litzner are running unopposed for their school board seats at St. Ignace Area Schools.