Two Leelanau County residents have filed for a recount in an Elmwood Township fire department millage that was defeated on November 4 after ending in a tie vote. Leelanau County Clerk Michelle Crocker tells The Ticker she has certified the vote, which was tied 1,126 for and 1,126 against, and has received two valid requests for a recount. Crocker is now waiting on the state of Michigan to inform her whether the state has received any recount requests for Leelanau County, which would take precedence over local requests; if not, she estimates the Elmwood Township recount will take place in the first or second week of December.

"I'm probably going to hire eight people to work with us (on the recount), and the board of canvassers will certify the results," Crocker says. "It's an open process, so anyone will be welcome to come and observe." If the recount results are different than those tabulated on November 4, the new certified results will stand.

The proposed six-year millage would increase Elmwood Township's mill from .78 to 2.0 and help replace aging emergency services equipment and cover increased staffing hours. Without the mill, the township is facing a $220,000 funding shortfall for the fire department going into 2015, as the previous .78 mill will expire at the end of this year.