MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Muskegon Township leaders hope voters will pass a proposed millage next month that will fund the police and fire departments.
The request of 5.25 mills comes as a long-standing millage of 2.6802 expired this year. Funding for the police and fire department has been drawn from the township’s general fund. Without a new millage, staff worry operations that rely on that fund could be impacted.
The township supervisor and police and fire chiefs gave people a closer look at the reality of balancing staffing and services during an information meeting at Station 1 Tuesday night.
Fire Chief Matt Ambrose said his crews are often working fires well below the staffing number the National Fire Prevention Association calls for. Yet, they make up the difference.
“Coming from California, NFPA standards state we need to have 15 to 16 fire personnel in a working structure fire, and we get six to seven. I’ll tell you, our folks know how to work, but you have to forecast, you have to rehab and change out bottles, and get other people there. We don’t have that. So if our mutual aid departments are busy on their calls, we get what we get,” said Ambrose.
“If we can get three more personnel, that’s guaranteed staffing for us that gives the best service possible to the people that live in this community,” he said.
The millage would also make way for new department equipment. Police Chief Patrick VanDommelen said his department is also making the most of limited staffing.
“We are bouncing from call to call to call. Without detectives, patrol officers are the ones who have to investigate these crimes. If we were able to have two detectives, those detectives would be able to have the time and resources to be able to sift through all the evidence and ultimately have better solvability rates,” he said.
Township Supervisor Jennifer Hodges said officials have taken steps to support both departments, like applying for grants that support equipment and police operations. The millage proposal aims to alleviate the pressure on the general fund.
If passed, the millage would raise approximately $2,736,000 in the first year levied. That would cover part of the 2025 public safety with an approximate total of $4,700,000. Township officials said the rest would be made up through the general fund.
“We know this is a heavy burden on them, especially right now, but we’re trying to provide them with the service that they deserve, and that’s going to keep us the safest so we are humbly asking that they consider this for us,” said Hodges.
The proposed millage goes up to voters on May 6.
