Politics & Government

Chesterfield Township Greenlights Ballot Language for Tax Hike Proposals

The Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to the language for the November general election.

The Chesterfield Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved ballot language Monday night for tax proposals in November.

Sign up for the Patch daily newsletter and follow us on Facebook.

The proposals seek increased amounts for police and fire during the general election. The language approval at the meeting cements the .

Find out what's happening in New Baltimore-Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Previous supervisor praises board

Former township Supervisor Jim Ellis commended the board Monday night for taking steps to increase funding in the departments.

"I think it took a lot of courage on behalf of the board to look at the and to look at the and see what needed to be done to make those departments sustainable," said Ellis, who held the position directly before Supervisor Michael Lovelock took office about four years ago.

Find out what's happening in New Baltimore-Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I want to say that it's been a long time since I've been here, but I think it's important enough for me to say. The community wants a good police department, the community wants a good fire department...and the necessary fund to support it," Ellis said.

Lovelock again then in the community, "like my best predecessor just spoke and said."

Voters will decide in November

The fire department will ask voters to renew the existing mills, along with a .75 mill increase. The additional .75 mills will be added to the previously collected 2 mills for operations. The previously collected .5 mills for equipment will be also be on the ballot for renewal. If approved, the tax collection would be in effect for 20 years.

The police department already collects 5 mills that do not require renewal. Voters will asked to approve another 2.5 mills that would be also be collected annually in perpetuity.

That means residents who own a house with a market value of $150,000 would pay a total of $243.75 extra annually if the police and fire taxes are approved, township officials said.

According to the ballot language, if approved, the estimated fire renewal and increase would mean approximately $3.87 million will be collected in the first year. The fire equipment, apparatus and housing renewal will bring in about $703,500 the first year. Meanwhile, the estimated revenue for police will be about $9.7 million the first year the millage is in effect.

Some residents questioned the length of the proposals, saying that two decades for fire and a never-ending millage collection for police is concerning.

"I question why 20 long years," longtime resident Joe Miller told the board. 

Tell us what you think in the comments' section and .


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here