York Township will retain its contracts for three Washtenaw County sheriff’s deputies after voters decisively renewed a public safety millage Tuesday, officials said.

Voters passed the measure 1,112 to 477, township Supervisor Joe Zurawski said. The vote was nearly three-to-one across all three township precincts.

“It is certainly a statement, no doubt about it,” said Zurawski, who has shepherded three public safety millage votes since 2005. 

The township was at risk of losing two deputy positions without continued support.

The proposal renews the annual .9702 mill levy through 2013. It will generate roughly $356,730 in its first year. Zurawski said the owner of home with a taxable value of about $100,000 will pay roughly $150 annually for public safety.

While turnout appeared to be slow across the state, the unofficial results show more than 40 percent of 3,500 registered township voters participated Tuesday.

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