Full Notification

TO: Huron Township Residents

FROM: Everette Robbins, Chief of Police

DATE: July 1, 2014

RE: Urgent Information - August 6th Millage Vote

On August 6th, you have the opportunity to vote on a very important ballot proposal requesting a two (2) mil renewal for the operation and maintenance of the police department. I wish to provide you with some critical information you will need to make an informed decision.

• This is a renewal of two (2) mills that voters approved 10 years ago.
• This proposal does not increase your current rate of tax.
• The renewal amount requested represents nearly 40% of the police dept. budget and therefore is absolutely essential to maintain the minimally acceptable level of service.
• Personnel costs represent 80% of the police budget.
• All the responsible cuts to the existing budget have been implemented including reducing the number of officers from 27 in 2007 to our present force size of 14 while our population has increased considerably.

• If the millage renewal fails:
o Additional officers will be subject to lay-off.
o Only one officer will be available to patrol our 36 square mile township.
o A resident will have to appear and file certain reports at the police station -no officer will be available to visit the residence.
o Delays in response times will be inevitable.
o The risk to resident and officer will increase due to reduced staffing.


If the millage is renewed:
Our current level of staffing, service and safety can be maintained.










Please vote AUGUST 6th




The ballot proposal reads as follows:



HURON CHARTER TOWNSHIP
POLICE MILLAGE RENEWAL
BALLOT PROPOSAL

Shall the previous voted increase in the total tax rate limitation that may be imposed for all purposes upon property in the Charter Township of Huron, Wayne County, Michigan, which last resulted in a levy of 2.0000 mills be renewed at 2.0000 mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of ten (10) years, the years 2016 to 2025, both inclusive, to provide funds for the operation and maintenance of the police department; which levy will raise in the first year of the levy approximately $945,234? (THIS IS A RENEWAL OF POLICE MILLAGE PRESENTLY BEING LEVIED).
( ) Yes
( ) No



The following illustrates Police fund projection from 2013-2017.
It is clear that if the millage proposal fails, we will not have sufficient funds to operate the department come 2016.

Thank you for taking time to review this information.

If you have questions, please email me at: [email protected].