Ypsilanti Township voters reject police millage

The Ypsilanti Township police millage was decided by 169 votes today.

In the end, the no votes won the day. With 100 percent of precincts reporting at 11:30 p.m., the tax was defeated 2,888 to 3,057.

That could mean the loss of 10 of the 38 Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies who patrol Ypsilanti Township, officials have said.

Township officials knew they were facing an uphill battle asking voters in the financially strapped township to approve a 2-mill tax levy.

The measure would have cost the owner of home with a taxable value of $100,000 roughly $200 annually. It would have generated $3.2 million needed to fill the gaps left in the annual budget by dwindling tax revenue.

But several township residents told AnnArbor.com today they were unwilling to support more taxes. They noted they already agreed to renew the township’s current police millage in May, a proposal that passed with 70 percent of the votes.

Township officials argued they already cut where they could, including reducing some salaries and pensions, as well as the work week for some employees.

Township officials couldn't immediately be reached tonight to discuss the next step or when sheriff's positions could be cut.