Chesterfield Township Police Hope to Put Tax Increase Back on Ballot With Sunset Clause
A majority of voters rejected increasing funding for the township police department last November.
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Chesterfield Township residents may be asked again to approve increased funding for the police department, but this time with a sunset provision.
“We know that a lot of people didn’t like the fact that the millage question proposal was for an unending millage increase,” Police Chief Bruce Smith said.
“When we do go back there definitely will be a sunset clause on it.”
It has not been determined when the matter may go back to voters or what specifically will be in the ballot language.
“The department’s funded for this year, but we’re going to have to sit down with the board and make some decisions...We haven’t done that yet,” Smith said.
The previous language called for an additional 2.5 mills to be collected in perpetuity to the existing 5 mills. Township officials and auditors called for more money for the force, saying decreased tax revenue ultimately led to a dwindling police fund.
The police tax was turned down by 52.3 percent of voters and favored by 47.7 percent, according to county election results and the Chesterfield Township Clerk's Office.
Township police raised about $15,000 to campaign for the millage during the election season, held town hall meetings and had a presence at precincts. Although department officials said voter rejection of the proposal could lead to as many as 17 layoffs, the chief said that will not immediately happen.
What do you think about a police tax increase proposal with a sunset clause? Tell us in the comments' section below.
Gary L Bayse
6:35 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
In 1985 Chesterfield had 3 Police now they have 43 we have not grown 14 times the size to warrent this many officers time to let The Sherrif's Dept take over like Macomb and Harrison Twp.
T.K. Scott
8:07 am on Monday, January 14, 2013
....lets add Mt Clemens and New Haven. In fact, all surrounding communities are patrolled by the Sheriff (think they finally figured it out) Chief Smith seems to be on a mission to price me right out of my Chesterfield home (and carry all the foreclosed homes and businesses)
Might have to start a petition drive to get the Sheriff to take over Chesterfield.
T.K. Scott
8:07 am on Monday, January 14, 2013
....it was voted on and didn't pass but lets keep shoving it down the voters throats until we sneek it by.
http://thecenterformichigan.net/special-report-combining-cop-shops-can-save-big-bucks/
steve
7:31 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
Agreed they will try to sneak on a ballot where no one shows up except the people on the inner circle, like they did with the aquatic center, DIA millage and others. Start a ballot drive to hire the sherrifs dept at half the cost(like in Macomb) and I would even help gather signatures. End this complaining once and for all. By the way anyone else see the brand new police car, I wonder how many of us can always drive cars that are always brand new. Its always easy to spend when its not your money. I am a business owner and I guarantee that if I was running the Dept I would be able to live within my means, because I live in the real world.