The Outset

In early 2024, Benzie Transportation Authority (aka Benzie Bus) faced a pivotal moment. Demand for service was soaring, while operational costs, aging fleet needs, and state funding shortfalls strained the agency’s capacity to sustain and expand service. Public transit in Benzie County has become a lifeline: essential for seniors, people with disabilities, working families, and residents without access to a personal vehicle. Yet the agency’s existing funding was no longer sufficient to meet the growing needs of the community. Without action, vital services were at risk. The moment called for bold leadership and trust in the people Benzie Bus served every day.

The Funding Solution

After careful analysis and community engagement, Benzie Bus placed a millage proposal on the August 6, 2024 ballot. The proposal sought to replace the existing .4733 levy with a new millage of 1.0 mills, more than doubling the prior rate.

The projected revenue – $1.7 million in the first year – would not only preserve current service levels but allow for much-needed growth, including:

• Expanding non-emergency medical transportation to 5 days per week
• Expanding operating days and hours, including service on Sundays
• Preparing for a rising senior population

This was more than a budget adjustment – it was an investment in autonomy, access, and community resilience.

The Campaign Strategy

To build public understanding and support, Benzie Bus focused on a nonpartisan, educational outreach campaign grounded in transparency and real stories. The strategy included: 

• Community-Focused Messaging
• Local Voices: Testimonies from riders, staff, and supporters were shared across platforms.
• Partnerships: Organizations like Benzie Senior Resources highlighted the link between transit access and aging in place.
• Public Engagement: Events, presentations at public meetings, and digital outreach helped voters connect the issue to their neighbors’ needs.
• Information Access: Benzie Bus created a dedicated webpage (benziebus.com/millage), with FAQs and service plans.
  

    

The Outcome

On August 6, 2024, Benzie County voters approved the millage with a solid 53% majority. While the vote was close, it ultimately reflected the community’s recognition of public transit as a vital service. The measure passed in key precincts across the county, securing the funding needed to sustain and grow Benzie Bus operations.

With this success:

• Health Rides expanded to five days per week
• Plans for regional medical transportation moved forward
• Weekend and evening service improvements launched
• Sunday service will begin in 2026

Perhaps most importantly, the vote affirmed public trust and demonstrated a shared belief in mobility as a foundation for dignity, independence, and opportunity.

Conclusion

The August 2024 millage victory was not just a funding success – it was a reflection of community values. With stable, voter-backed funding now in place, Benzie Bus is charting a sustainable path forward. As the county’s aging population continues to grow and evolve, public transit remains a vital thread connecting people to health care, employment, education, and each other.

The future is on board. And Benzie County said yes.