During Tuesday’s primary election, Muskegon Township voters approved a public safety millage renewal of 2.68 mills for the next 10 years. According to unofficial results from the Muskegon County Clerk’s Office, it received over 1,400 votes in favor and 867 votes against. The township’s public safety millage has been in place for the past 15 years.
A separate ballot proposal for an increase in the current public safety millage, that of 2.50 mills for the next 10 years, failed. Over 1,300 voted against the proposal and 944 voting in favor.
Had the increase passed, $1.3 million would have been collected in the first year, funds for hiring two more police officers and creating two detective positions. Two fire stations would have received upgrades and supported the hiring of three additional firefighters.
This is the second time since May that voters have rejected a public safety millage increase.
According to township leaders, 911 calls have increased, staffing levels have declined, and equipment costs have gone up. Last year, the township police handled 9,500 reports with just 17 officers. Fire service demands also increased with minimal staffing.
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