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Voters approve BATA millage, school bonds

Tyler Bevier, BATA

Residents of Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties voted Tuesday for expanded bus service. Voters approved a millage increase for the Bay Area Transportation Authority that will give them an extra $1 million next year. BATA says it will use the money to buy new buses and expand routes.

Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Max Anderson says the vote shows that the community values the BATA service.

“This was definitely a very crucial vote because had it not passed, it would’ve cut funding dramatically for BATA, which would’ve taken many vital services for our community off the table.”

Anderson says the BATA service helps relieve traffic congestion in Traverse City, especially during the busy summer months.

Unofficial election results in Grand Traverse County show the BATA millage winning 56 percent to 44 percent. 

In other election news, unofficial results show voters in Wexford and Manistee counties did not approve roughly $14 million for Mesick Consolidated Schools. The money was intended for the demolition, rebuild and upgrade of schools there.

Voters in Antrim County approved bonds for schools in Elk Rapids and East Jordan.

East Jordan will get more than $10 million to renovate schools and buy new buses. Another $650,000 will go toward building concession stands and new athletic fields in Elk Rapids.

In Kalkaska County, voters approved a millage for the county hospital.