By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Voters in five Michigan communities rejected at least seven police and fire department funding millages during Tuesday’s primary election, raising questions about future emergency services funding and staffing.
- Brandon Township rejected a police services renewal; Highland Township rejected a fire department millage; and Independence Township rejected both a police protection millage and school resources officer funding measure.
- Orion Township voters rejected both a police operating millage and a separate fire and emergency medical services millage; Sumpter Township in Wayne County also rejected a police services millage renewal that would have increased millage rates.
- Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard stated the rejections reflect voter anti-government sentiment rather than opposition to public safety services, warning that rejected funding will result in longer emergency response times.
- Several township supervisors stated they plan to place similar or revised millage measures on November’s general election ballot to ensure ongoing service provision.
DETROIT, MICH. — Local officials across Michigan’s Metro Detroit area are determining next steps after voters rejected police and fire department funding millages during Tuesday’s primary election, creating uncertainty regarding future emergency services staffing and operational capacity.
The rejected measures included seven ballot initiatives across five communities, primarily in Oakland County. Most measures were renewals seeking to maintain existing funding; however, some proposed increases to millage rates that would have resulted in higher property tax assessments.
In Brandon Township, voters rejected a police services millage renewal. Highland Township voters rejected a fire department millage measure. Independence Township voters defeated both a police protection millage and a separate millage to fund a school resources officer position.
In Orion Township, voters rejected both a police operating millage and a separate fire and emergency medical services millage measure. Sumpter Township in Wayne County also saw voters reject a police services millage renewal that would have increased the millage rate from three mills to five.
Three of the Oakland County communities—Brandon Township, Independence Township, and Orion Township—contract with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for police services. These three townships represent part of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s 15-community contract services network.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard characterized the voter rejections as reflecting broader anti-government sentiment rather than opposition to public safety services. Bouchard stated that residents may experience extended emergency response times due to reduced funding and resulting constraints on substation staffing.
“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,'” Bouchard stated.
Bouchard noted that rejected funding for school resources officers means that positions protecting schools and establishing law enforcement presence in educational settings will not be funded. In Independence Township specifically, voters rejected the police protection millage 54% to 46%.
Independence Township Supervisor Chuck Phyle stated he respects voter decision-making while indicating the township will conduct operational impact analysis. Phyle announced he will request a fact-based review of financial and operational consequences, available budget options, and decision timelines.
In Orion Township, police operating millage funding failed 59% to 41%, and a separate fire and EMS millage also failed. Supervisor Chris Barnett stated that sheriff’s office service provision will terminate January 1 unless a similar millage passes in November’s election. Barnett announced an emergency meeting for Friday to discuss placing a millage on the November ballot.
“I can see no scenario where we won’t have a millage question on the ballot in November,” Barnett stated, adding that the township board will determine whether to propose the same measure or propose revisions.
Bouchard and other officials attributed the rejections to anti-tax sentiment among residents concerned about incremental tax increases. County Commissioner Mike Gingell characterized the voter decision as residents being “sick of getting taxed and having their taxes go up.”
In Sumpter Township, police operating millage funding failed 57% to 43%, with the measure seeking to increase the rate from three mills to five mills. The Sumpter Township Police Department stated in a social media post that the loss of all millage funding reduced operating budgets by more than 40%, describing the situation as “devastating” to service provision capability.
“We have lost all millage funding, which has reduced our operating funds by over 40%,” the department stated. “In the coming days and weeks, the township Board will determine how to proceed.”
Bouchard recommended that officials clarify the purposes of millage funding while acknowledging resident concerns. “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 stated.