Benzie County

06/22/2026

Congratulations graduates!

06/17/2026

Big news, Benzie County! 🎙️✨ Our first-ever podcast episode is officially online!

Tune in to hear local voices answer your questions related to the upcoming millage proposal on the August ballot!

You won’t want to miss this milestone episode!

Share your questions in the comments below.

Welcome to Tax Talk — a new podcast from Benzie County.With answe...

06/16/2026

A great partnership as work continues across Benzie County!

Good morning Benzie County!

In light of the tragic loss of three Road Commission employees (Not Benzie County) who were killed while working along the roadside this year, the Benzie County Road Commission has partnered with the Benzie County Sheriff's Office to increase safety efforts in our work and construction zones.

I am proud to announce that we have reached an agreement to work together in a combined effort to help ensure our employees return home safely each day. Everyone at the Road Commission has loved ones, friends, and family who expect us to come home safely at the end of every shift.

We believe this partnership will provide an added layer of safety and peace of mind for our crews as they maintain and improve our county road system. The Benzie County Sheriff's Office was eager to step in and support this initiative, and we are extremely grateful for their commitment to the safety of our employees.

We ask all motorists to please slow down, stay alert, and be mindful when traveling through work zones. A few extra seconds of caution can save a life.

Thank you for your support in helping keep our workers safe.

Sheriff Kyle Rosa and Road Commission Manager Troy Hinds

06/11/2026

We want to wish all of our local students a fantastic, fun, and safe summer break. You’ve worked hard all year, and now it’s time to enjoy the sunshine, the lakes, and everything our beautiful county has to offer.

With summer break underway, we want to remind our entire community to keep safety top of mind. Our roads, trails, and neighborhoods are going to be a lot busier, so let's look out for one another:

🦺 Drivers: Please slow down, eliminate distractions, and keep a sharp eye out for kids playing near roads, riding bikes, or walking to their favorite summer spots. Expect extra traffic and give yourself a few extra minutes to reach your destination.

🚲 Parents & Kids: Remember to wear your helmets when riding bikes or scooters, stick to sidewalks or paths where available, and always look both ways before crossing the street.

🏊 Water Safety: Keep a close eye on the little ones around our beautiful lakes and rivers, and always wear life jackets when out on the water.

Let’s work together to make this a safe, memorable summer for everyone in Benzie County!

06/04/2026

Heads up Benzie County!

🚨 URGENT TRAFFIC ALERT – HONOR, MI 🚨
6/4/2026 -PLEASE SHARE-

Today, Molon Excavating will be working with MDOT and BCRC to mill and repave US-31 through Honor.

The project limits extend from in front of the Benzie County Road Commission facility (Ely Rd.) to just past Riverside Drive, as shown on the project map. We will be milling 12' lanes and repaving.

This operation has a lot of moving parts, including numerous businesses, driveways, and side roads that must remain accessible throughout construction. Traffic will be reduced to one lane with flaggers directing vehicles through the work zone.

Please avoid the area if possible and expect delays if traveling through Honor today.

Most importantly, please slow down and stay alert where workers are present. Every person in that work zone has family and friends expecting them to make it home safely at the end of the day.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to improve this section of roadway.

06/02/2026

Sign up and stay alert!

🚨 Benzie County Emergency Alerts🚨

To sign up for emergency alerts in Benzie County use
Benzie Alerts - powered by RAVE Mobile Safety

This new platform gives you more control over how—and where—you receive important information during emergencies:
✅ Integrated with Smart911 - find out more @ smart911.com
✅ Choose to receive alerts direct from partner communities: Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, Crystal Mountain Resort, City of Frankfort, and Village of Beulah
✅ Register multiple addresses (home, work, school, etc.)
✅ Customize how you receive alerts (text, email, phone)
👉 Sign up today to stay informed and prepared
www.benzieco.gov/alerts

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.