IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County’s total equalized property valuation is up 9.6% this year, an increase of $140 million, county board members learned Monday.

Equalization Director Matt Baumgartner presented his annual report to the board, noting the rise in property values should translate into a $362,000 increase in operating revenues for the county budget.

With other factors included, Baumgartner expects the increase in taxable value this year will be 5.4%, which follows an 8.7% increase in 2024 and a 5.1% increase in 2023. The increase in taxable value is about $59 million, he said.

The increase in property valuation is due to higher assessments as well as new construction. Total assessed valuations in the county in 2025 are $1.59 billion, up from $1.45 billion a year ago, according to the equalization report.

Unless an addition has been built, a higher assessment doesn’t necessarily mean a similar property tax increase. Under state law, a cap is placed on taxable value.

The Michigan State Tax Commission inflation rate cap for taxable valuations in 2025 is 3.1%, which is down from 5% in 2024. A cap of 5%, which was also in place for 2023, is the maximum allowed under Proposal A adopted by Michigan voters in 1994.

Without the cap, homeowners in 2023 may have seen a 7.9% inflationary hike on tax bills. In 2024, the actual change in inflation was 5.1%, according to the tax commission.

In other action Monday, the county board:

— Reappointed Allan Bilski of Norway and James Carey of Channing to three-year terms on the five-member Dickinson County Road Commission. Robert Massie of Foster City, a retired road commission employee, was also an applicant.

— Authorized Controller Brian Bousley to shop for a van for the medical examiner department at a price not to exceed $45,000. The purchase will enable Dickinson County Medical Examiner Dr. Martin Cristanelli to provide autopsy services for Marquette County through an office based at Ford Airport in Kingsford. Commissioner Joe Stevens said the contract being negotiated with Marquette County will be a plus for the county, which had the foresight to plan for county-based autopsy services several years ago. A contract with Iron County is already in place and there are inquiries from other counties as well, Bousley said.

— Heard Bousley report campground reservations at Lake Antoine Park are up from a year ago. The Dickinson campground may see an influx due to the closure of a number of sites this season at Bewabic State Park in Crystal Falls. Construction of a new toilet and shower building and road repavings are scheduled at Bewabic. Stevens, who chairs the parks committee, said Lake Antoine tentatively will begin its camping season Memorial Day weekend and remain open about a month past Labor Day.