CLAYTON TWP., Michigan -- Voters in Genesee County's Clayton Township have made their
decision on the two millages for public safety that were on today's ballot.
Voters chose to approve the fire millage, but not the police millage.
With all precincts reporting, the unofficial numbers show the 0.8 mills for the fire department passed with 830 yes votes, and 778 votes no.
The tax will generate an estimated $167,000 a year for the fire department. The money will be used for a capital improvements fund, which will allow the fire department to buy new equipment.
The funds raised by the tax will allow the township to fund the fire department without taking money from the general fund. Money from the general fund that would have previously been used for public safety could be used to improve infrastructure such as roads, ditches and drains in the township.
Clayton Township Supervisor Brian Sepanak said he was happy the fire millage passed. The fire department is completely funded by the township's general fund.
"Now, we'll have the ability to put money aside into a capital improvement fund," Sepanak said. "With that money, over time, possibly even years, we will be able to afford to buy some of the larger-ticket price items."
A firefighter from the township, James Bowers said he voted "yes" on both of the millages. Bowers said since he works for the fire department, he has seen both Clayton Township and the city of Swartz Creek take deep budget cuts, a lot of which he said came from the township. Swartz Creek and Clayton Township have a shared fire system.
"Being on the fire side, I know a lot more. Bowers said. "With the dated trucks, our budget obviously has gone down every year."
The unofficial voting numbers for the 1.6-mill police tax show it did not pass, with 943 votes no, and 704 votes yes. This millage would have raised about $334,000 a year for the police department that would be used for operations.
Sepanak said the township board doesn't have any immediate plans to put the police tax before voters again. He also said the township will have to continue to dip into the general fund to complete the police budget. The current police budget is $541,000 and provides the department with four full-time officers, one part-time officer, and a chief and sergeant who are both full-time.
Of the $541,000 police budget, about $334,000 comes out of the general fund, Sepanak said.
This is the second time residents have been asked to vote on a public safety millage. The first time, last May, the 2.2 mills was defeated by a vote of 697 to 682. Residents then asked the board to separate fire and police in the next election.
Clayton Township resident Craig Wellman said he voted against both taxes. He believes the township doesn't need a police department.
"We need to get rid of the police department." Wellman said. "We don't need them, we should go back to having the sheriff. It was cheaper."
According to an informational flyer that residents received before the election, the average taxpayer cost – based on a home with a $128,000 market value – would be $4.27 a month, or $51.20 a year for the fire tax.
Christine Alvarado of Clayton Township said the cost of the millages is what drove her to vote against both of them.
"The evaluation on my house has gone down and my taxes have gone up." Alvarado said. "Everything has gone up, I just can't afford it."