About Us

The Commission’s purpose is to recommend prudent spending of public funds and to coordinate programs and services that meet the changing needs of St. Clair County seniors 60 years of age and older that promote their well-being and quality of life.

The St. Clair County Commission on Aging was officially established by the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners on December 12, 1979. The Commission consists of nine members that live throughout St. Clair County, Michigan, and provides oversight to the Senior Millage funds. Each member serves a 3-year staggered term.

Linda Schmitt, District 1
Kristy Jones, District 2
Diane Cooper, District 3
Karynn Carrell, District 4
Todd Bigger, District 5
CarolAnn Wasilco, District 6
Judy Wallis, District 7
Sharron DeFever, Member at Large
Bonnie DiNardo, Member at Large

Lisa Beedon, Board of Commissioners Representative
Julie Ganhs, Senior Millage Administrator

The Senior Millage was first passed by a Special Election on September 11, 1979 at four-tenths (.4) of a mill for three years (1979 through 1981).  The millage rate has only been increased twice in the past 45 years.  Once in 1986 with a one-tenth (.1) increase and again in 2012 for a three-tenths (.3) increase. In 2022, the millage rate was reduced to .7983 due to the Headlee Amendment.  The Headlee Amendment requires a local unit of government to reduce its millage when annual growth on existing property value is greater than the rate of inflation.  Consequently, the local unit’s millage is “rolled back” so that the resulting growth in property tax revenue (community-wide) is no more than the rate of inflation.  The Senior Millage rate over the years is as follows: 

1979 through 1985                                               four-tenths (.4) of a mill

1986 through 2011                                               five-tenths (.5) of a mill

2012 through 2021                                               eight-tenths (.8) of a mill

2022 to date                                                         .7983 of a mill

The Senior Millage has been overwhelming supported by the community.  Each time it has been up for renewal, voters have approved the millage by a wide margin, typically between 70% and 80%. The Senior Citizens’ Millage is a 4-year millage and the most recent ballots have been approved by: 
 

• 75% of voters in 2010
• 76% of voters in 2014
• 78% of voters in 2018
• 78% of voters in 2022

If you are interested in serving on the Commission on Aging or in another capacity, please check the list of vacancies here.