By Maureen Feighan
The Detroit News
DETROIT — Local officials in several Metro Detroit communities are trying to figure out their next steps after voters rejected police and fire millages in Tuesday’s primary election, raising questions about how those services will be funded going forward.
At least seven measures in five communities were voted down, primarily in Oakland County. Most were renewals, meaning they weren’t new taxes, but some asked voters to approve higher millage rates, meaning tax rates would’ve increased.
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Voters said no to a police services renewal in Brandon Township; a fire department millage in Highland Township; a police protection millage in Independence Township, along with a separate millage for a school resources officer in the township; and a police operating millage in Orion Township, along with a separate fire and EMS millage in Orion.
And in Wayne County, Sumpter Township voters also rejected a police services millage renewal.
Brandon Township, Independence Township and Orion Township all contract with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for police services. The three townships are among the 15 Oakland County communities the sheriff’s office contracts with for law enforcement.
“I don’t think these communities are saying, ‘We don’t want to be safe and we don’t want police or fire.’ I think they’re saying, ‘We’re angry, we’re upset with government in general, and we’re sending a message,’” said Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.
Bouchard explained that residents may see the impact of the rejected millages in longer response times from deputies. This is because the county won’t have as much money to fully staff its substations, he said.
In Independence Township, voters rejected a 3.2-mill police protection millage 54% to 46%, according to unofficial results.
“There was a specific request for a school resource officer. That failed (in Independence Township ),” said Bouchard. “That means there won’t be a deputy protecting the schools or in the school. That position won’t exist.”
Supervisor Chuck Phyle said he respects the decision of voters. But he said the township will now have to evaluate the “financial and operational impact” on future police funding and available budget options.
“I will be requesting a prompt, fact-based review so the Board and residents have a clear understanding of the consequences, the available choices and the timeline for decisions,” he said in a statement on Facebook early Wednesday morning. “No assumptions. No rhetoric. Just the facts, the options, the available choices, and the timeline for decisions.”
In Orion Township, where Supervisor Chris Barnett encouraged voters to cast their ballots on Tuesday, calling it “an important day” for the community, two measures were rejected. With 100% of precincts reporting, its police operating millage failed 59% to 41%. A separate fire and EMS millage also failed in Orion.
“No more $$$,” posted one voter, Karen Darby, on Facebook in response to Barnett’s post. “Budget like the rest of us.”
Because of Orion’s failed police millage, service from the sheriff’s office “will go away” Jan. 1 unless a similar millage is passed in the November election, Barnett said. Barnett is holding an emergency meeting at 4 p.m. Friday to discuss getting the millage on the November ballot.
“I can see no scenario where we won’t have a millage question on the ballot in November,” said Barnett. “I don’t know if it’s the same thing we just voted on or if we tweak it a little bit; that will be up to the township board to decide when we meet.”
Like Bouchard, Barnett and other Orion Township officials said the “no” vote was a broad anti-tax sentiment. County Commissioner Mike Gingell, who represents Orion Township, said Wednesday morning that he interpreted the millage rejection as residents being “sick of getting taxed and having their taxes go up.”
“It’s a balance between covering our costs and also people determining if they want to pay these incremental increases for police services. Which in my community, Orion, they just declined it. Unless we find a way to get it back on the ballot, it means we’re going to have less officers in the community,” said Gingell, a Republican.
In Wayne County’s Sumpter Township, voters also rejected a millage renewal for police services that also would’ve raised the millage rate from 3 mills to 5. With 100% of precincts reporting, the measure failed 57% to 43%, according to unofficial results.
“We have lost all millage funding, which has reduced our operating funds by over 40%,” said the Sumpter Township Police Department in a post on Facebook early Wednesday morning. “As you can imagine, this is devastating to our ability to provide the level of police services that you, our residents, expect and deserve. In the coming days and weeks, the township Board will determine how to proceed.”
Bouchard said officials need to understand residents’ concerns while clearly explaining the purpose of the millages.
“Our answer has to be, ‘Understood what you’re saying, and here’s exactly what your very important tax dollars are providing, and do you want those services going forward?’” Bouchard said.
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