Ypsilanti Township voters reject police millage
The Ypsilanti Township police millage was decided by 169 votes today.
In the end, the no votes won the day. With 100 percent of precincts reporting at 11:30 p.m., the tax was defeated 2,888 to 3,057.
That could mean the loss of 10 of the 38 Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies who patrol Ypsilanti Township, officials have said.
Township officials knew they were facing an uphill battle asking voters in the financially strapped township to approve a 2-mill tax levy.
The measure would have cost the owner of home with a taxable value of $100,000 roughly $200 annually. It would have generated $3.2 million needed to fill the gaps left in the annual budget by dwindling tax revenue.
But several township residents told AnnArbor.com today they were unwilling to support more taxes. They noted they already agreed to renew the township’s current police millage in May, a proposal that passed with 70 percent of the votes.
Township officials argued they already cut where they could, including reducing some salaries and pensions, as well as the work week for some employees.
Township officials couldn't immediately be reached tonight to discuss the next step or when sheriff's positions could be cut.
Comments
Cash
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 4:21 p.m.
All townships budgets are suffering from absorbing the cost of policing that used to be covered by the county. The labor costs are killing them. It's time to renegotiate the WCSD contracts. If they are unwilling. Maybe no one needs them and the townships should start their own dept at lower wages. As many folks as are unemployed today, they should get lots of applicants. Taxpayers need to stop the public employees in all areas from holding them hostages to higher wages. No one I know of has survived these past two years well....except my pals in public jobs who have their raises negotiated and the best benefits you can imagine. it's time for them to give a little.
Awakened
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 1:33 p.m.
Maybe my math is fuzzy but if the loss of the millage would cost 10 officers that would mean the officers cost over 25% more than they did when the last millage passed. I smell a pass along cost to save another budget line. How about the township cut some costs elsewhere to provide police services.
youngdz79
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 1:15 p.m.
Since the millage was defeated I would like to hear people of Ypsilanti Township not to complain about bad news coming out of West Willow or complain about how the police did not show for two hours after they called 911. Oh and Welcome to the new wild west Because this township will become a shoot first ask question later area. Oh and John the Second Amendment only gives you the right to bear arms, not blow away a bad guy for breaking in, you kill or injury somebody in your own home there is still a chance you will go to jail and not pass go or collect your $200 you could have used for the police.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 12:49 p.m.
Gosh, I hope people's home owner's insurance rates wont go up too much as a result of not passing this. It will be interesting to check back in a year or so and see how the direct costs of increased crime as well as the indirect costs such as higher insurance premiums compare to the few hundred dollars a year that people decided not to pay. Maybe they'll get lucky and find they didnt need those police officers after all.
yadabuster
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 12:09 p.m.
EG Too funny. So you think if I don't like paying taxes I should go to a third world country like Ann Arbor. Where the inhabitants love to pay way too much for everything and think everyone else is stupid. I think you should pay my share of my taxes so we both can be twice as "happy"! Bet that won't fly in that small space.
Ignatz
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 10:57 a.m.
I can just hear the discussion of how more revenue can be had. "Deputies, we need more more money. Go forth and ticket the populus!"
John Galt
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 10:53 a.m.
I think folks need to protect themselves (and their property). Excercise your 2nd amendment rights. If someones does a "home invasion" on you, there will be one less inmate to house and feed. Cost savings (per year) $30,000.
eyeonthenews
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 10:40 a.m.
We are constantly being threatened that the township deputies will be cut if we don't approve another millage. Well that may happen but I'm glad the millage didn't pass. I've always supported the public safety millages but enough is enough. We have a lot of people on the township's payroll that could take some pay concessions like many of this county and township's citizens have had to do. Everyone is strapped for cash. Many have lost jobs and homes. Utility payments and credit card interest has risen. Taxes have already gone up to help pay for property tax they say the township has lost on foreclosed homes. It seems to me that our township officials have been in office too long and have gotten too comfy with their status quo and are failing to take on the burden of their jobs and look at other ways to take in new revenue and balance the budget. In fact, I think it's time we start electing some new people to these township postitions rather than keep electing on name recognition. Have they really been doing a great job? I don't think so.
Papabravo
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 8:49 a.m.
It is time for elected officials to quit whinning and give us precisely the level of Police services that we are willing to pay for, and not a penny more. If that doesn't fit with their grand plan then "tough rockos"!
yadabuster
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 8:26 a.m.
I was torn on the police millage but the school millage was easy. Ultimately it was NO on both. This is a time of deep reflection and sacrifice. Something this country has known so little of in recent decades. It is time to change this overbearing entitlement attitude back to hunger for opportunity.Because their are plenty of opportunity hungry children around the world waiting to eat our lunch. WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 8:10 a.m.
i did support the current millage in may. i did vote no on both of these proposals. i had to take a cut in income this year. i live in the township. it's time for other's to concede too. there will always be the threat of, "if it doesn't pass, we can't put officer's in the township". well it didn't pass, tighten some belts, if you did, do it somemore! -dading
takeakidhunting
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 2:10 a.m.
some people i have spoke with are angry because both mills failed.But,its not the tax payers duty to keep coming forth with new funds.That is supposed to be our elected officals job.If they cant do that,then maybe we should find the people that can,right?