In May, residents in Muskegon Charter Township voted against doubling the current millage, which would have allowed the township to hire three more firefighters and two more detectives, as well as upgrading public safety buildings and fleets.
“We still have that need, but we thought, ‘Let’s try and see is the township residents will at least support renewing.’”
Jennifer Hodges is Muskegon Township Supervisor. She says asking residents for a renewal of the current millage – and a standalone millage increase - felt like a better option for voters.
“The renewal? That continues services as-is. Nothing will change. And if enough people do decide they want to support this enhanced level of service, then they can also do that, but if not, no hard feelings. Hopefully they’ll pass the renewal and we’ll still be able to operate as we have been.”
Renewing the current millage would keep it at 2.68 mills. Approving the proposed increase would raise the millage to 5.25 mills and enable the township to hire more full-time detectives and firefighters.
“Call volumes have increased tremendously over the past ten years. We actually haven’t had an increase in our public safety millage in over fifteen, and the needs are growing and our staff levels have not.”
Residents will vote on both proposals on August 5th.
More information can be found here.
