Laurium Village Manager Ian Lewis is seeking resident participation in a survey asking the question, “should Laurium become a city?” (Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette)

LAURIUM — As the Laurium Village Council continues to explore becoming a city, Village Manager Ian Lewis has kept a close eye on its ongoing survey of residents.

As of the regular monthly meeting on January 14, the survey revealed that while only 69 residents have responded, of those, 79 percent favor changing from a village to a city.

With a population of 1,879, Lewis is concerned at the low number of respondents.

“I’ve been trying to wrap my brain around how to get the survey to more people,” he said. “It seems like we’ve hit almost every avenue we could think of.”

In an effort to increase participation, Lewis has distributed paper copies of the survey to businesses throughout the village. While some residents have picked up copies at the village office, none have yet been returned.

“What they may be doing is taking them home,” he said, “then filling out the survey online.”

The survey has raised some interesting tax questions. Lewis said he suspects that a number of those who responded in opposition to the proposal did not quite understand the survey.

“They wrote in the comment section that while they support the village changing to a city, they were opposed to taxes.”

Responses so far are close on whether residents would support a millage increase of 1.5 or 2 mils. The village has received inquiries asking if businesses have a platform if the owners live outside the Village.

The village will accept their opinions, but the survey itself is for residents, said Lewis. If they have questions, he encourages them to come in and talk to him

The survey is open until the end of February, and is available at the village office, located at 310 Hecla Street, and at local businesses.

The survey can also be taken online, on the Village of Laurium website, at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MZXT798