York Township residents will be asked to renew a public safety millage at the polls on Aug. 3 to maintain the township's current level of police protection.

Township Supervisor Joe Zurawski said the millage, which expired this year, provided 1 mill of funding for Washtenaw County sheriff’s deputy patrols and fire protection from two different departments. An additional .5-mill levy was approved by 58 percent of the voters in 2008 to maintain three deputies once the county implemented significant price increases.

Without the renewal, Zurawski said the township’s public safety fund could support just one deputy position, which he believes residents would find unacceptable.

“I don’t see how we could not have this. This is public safety protection, and the feedback I do get about it is positive,” he said.

The merits of the millage will be discussed tonight at a forum with township officials and Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton. The meeting runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the York Township Hall at 11560 Stony Creek Rd.

Only three people showed up at a public meeting about the issue organized by township officials on June 29. But the low turnout isn't indicative of a lack of support, Zurawski said.
He believes, or hopes, it’s the opposite.

“I think it means people are mostly happy with the service,” he said. “I suspect that if people weren’t supportive of it, they’d come in and let everybody know.”

The township projects spending $465,000 for the deputies and their support services in this fiscal year, and $294,950 for fire coverage split between the Saline and Milan area fire departments.

Township officials anticipate generating roughly $732,000 in total combined public safety and general millage tax revenue this year, meaning contributions from the general fund will be needed.

If passed, the measure would last through 2013 and generate roughly $356,730 in the first year. Zurawski said the owner of home with a taxable value of about $100,000 would pay roughly $150 annually for public safety.

Several residents contacted about the millage said they were adamant the township shouldn't lose police protection or start working with a different department.

“The deputies have always been there when you need them and are really good to work with,” said Grace Burroughs of the Petrol-n-Pantry station at 9035 Carpenter Rd., just east of US-23. “I really believe their presence has made a difference in stopping crime before it starts.”

Zurawski said his biggest concern is that overwhelmed voters forget to turn the ballot over. 

Due to the number of candidates in several primary election races this summer, the York measure was pushed to the back side of ballots.

“We’ve just got to be sure to remind them to flip the ballot,” he said.

More information about the millage is available at the township hall. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.