Ypsilanti Township looking to cut 10 deputy positions

"Ypsilanti Township is hopeful we will be able to restore deputy positions sometime in the future," Stumbo wrote. "In the meantime, we are committed to working together to deliver the highest quality police protection available for our community. Thank you for your leadership to help guide us through this difficult time."

Stumbo requested the county agree to adjust the scope of services in its contract by Jan. 1.

Guenzel relayed news of the request to county commissioners tonight at a working session of the board. He said the contract between the county and the township allows for a six-month opt-out clause, and the county is not obligated to open up the contract any earlier.

Guenzel said he has county staff looking into labor relations and legal issues surrounding the request, as well as financial implications for the county. He plans to bring a recommendation to the county board Dec. 2.

County board Chairman Rolland Sizemore Jr., D-5th District, said it's his preference the county not engage in discussions with a township that is suing the county.

Ypsilanti Township is one of three townships - including Salem and Augusta - that sued the county about three years ago when it changed police service contracts, contesting the county's ability to increase the contract price of a deputy. The suit is still pending before the Michigan Supreme Court.

Some county officials said they thought 38 deputies already isn't enough police presence in Ypsilanti Township.

Stumbo said the Township Board of Trustees approved a 2010 fiscal year budget earlier this week that includes support for 28 deputies, based on available tax revenue generated by the current police millage of 3.5 mills.

Earlier this month, Ypsilanti Township voters defeated a ballot measure  by just 169 votes to raise an additional 2 mills for police protection. If passed, the increase would have cost the owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000 an additional $200 annually until 2013.

Nearly 70 percent of voters approved a millage renewal for police protection in May, which maintained the township’s police budget at about $5.4 million.

In the days after the election, Ypsilanti Township officials said the impact of a failed millage wouldn’t be immediately known, but residents could expect to see slower response times to certain calls and less community-oriented policing.

"As you know, discussions between our respective staff regarding this necessary reduction in the scope of services has been ongoing for the past two weeks since the election," Stumbo wrote today. "We have received a draft proposal of an operational deployment plan under a reduced staffing model of 28 deputies. Discussions will continue over the next few weeks to finalize a deployment plan. We continue to look for opportunities to minimize the impact of the staff reduction on our residents and the county."

Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.