Ypsilanti Township voters asked to approve millage in November to increase police protection
Ypsilanti Township residents are being asked to boost their level of police protection by funding a 1.5-mill tax levy that will be decided in November.
If approved, the millage would raise just over $2 million in its first year and allow the township to contract with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department for up to four more deputies. That would equate to an additional $150 in taxes annually through 2012 for the owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000.
In November 2009, residents voted down a similar 2-mill levy by 168 votes. Because that millage was defeated, the township’s coverage dropped from 38 to 31 deputies, and that number will likely decrease to 29 on Jan. 1 if the new millage fails.
Deputy Dean Reich is pictured on a patrol shift in this file photo.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Ypsilanti Township has been hit hard by a decrease in its industrial tax base, has the highest rate of foreclosures in Washtenaw County and has seen a drop in property value. Officials are projecting a 3 percent to 4 percent loss of revenue from property value in 2011, which is roughly equivalent to the cost of one deputy.
The township also has been forced to contend with a sharp increase in the price of a deputy, which is set by the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. In 2004, one deputy cost $83,854, while in 2011 that figure is above $160,000 - a jump of 91 percent.
The county is raising the per deputy rate by 4 percent this year, nearly equivalent to the cost of one deputy for the township. Money collected by the county covers the cost of one "police services unit," which includes costs for supervision, detectives, overtime and other factors.
“No one can sustain that,” Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo said.
Ypsilanti Township and two other municipalities sued the county in 2006 over the rate increase. They claimed it violated a contract in which the county promised not to significantly raise the cost of a deputy before 2011.
A judge ruled against the townships in February 2009. Stumbo said it has been the position of many of the commissioners representing Ann Arbor that they have their own police department, and so should Ypsilanti Township.
“It’s a philosophical difference - public safety should be a concern to everyone,” Stumbo said.
She added the township is meeting with representatives from the City of Ypsilanti on Sept. 13 to discuss sharing police services. One of the goals is to rely less on the county, which she said has been unpredictable.
Stumbo said the township hasn’t seen a significant increase in crime, but sheriff's deputies are stretched thin in responding to the same number of calls. At its peak, 44 deputies patrolled Ypsilanti Township.
“The sheriff said there hasn’t been an increase in level of crime, but there has been a decrease in service, so there’s no opportunity for proactive policing,” she said.
Police services make up roughly one-third of the township’s budget. Stumbo said the housing market isn’t projected to stabilize until 2013 at the earliest, and the township is expecting to take another financial hit from decreasing property values in 2012.
The township can't campaign for the millage, but the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to place the language on the ballot at a recent meeting. Mailers explaining the situation will be sent out to voters.
Township Clerk Karen Lovejoy-Roe said the situation is critical.
“We’ll lose more deputies unless the board votes to cut and slash and burn somewhere else, but I don’t know where that would be because we’re down to the bone,” she said.
In the last year, the township has reduced its fire force, reduced township employees' workweek from 40 to 32 hours and contracted for seven fewer deputies.
Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
reddog801
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:33 p.m.
Boy Karen Lovejoy loves to write books and cannot be a down to earth type woman if she tried. Lets look at the facts here. Ypsilanti Township has 13 deputies that they contract because of the last FAILED mil. That some 4.8 million dollars over 1 year. What is the Ypsilanti Township trustee's failing to tell us here? Well they sent out this nice little letter that was a crock of crap and they were not honest with the residents and did not tell the residents that their board and the City of Ypsilanti board's have been meeting and talking about a merger with the City of Ypsilanti's police department. The township boards should be ashamed of itself and there needs to be a changing of the guard. Lovejoy, Stumbo, and some of the others have been flip flopping positions over the last many years and it's time that they be shown the door. What is the job of the Sheriff's department? Their only duties PER THE LAW are to house prisoners(jail) and provide the transportation for said prisoners back and forth to court. Their duties do not include road patrol. The sheriff's department is contracted by several of the townships including Ypsilanti Township. A 91% rise in contract rates since 2004 should be alarming to all of us that are residents. The Sheriff will not tell us the actual cost per deputy but we know it is 165,000-168,000 PER DEPUTY!!! If the Township does decide it would be in their best interest to merge with the City of Ypsilanti Police that cost will come down considerably! Which makes more sense??? The merger with YPD of coarse, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. DO NOT VOTE FOR THIS 1.5 MIL!!!! which will legally contract the sheriff's department for 3 years! Sure there will be less deputies on the road, but the sheriff's department has 10 general deputies that have to respond whether the township is paying or not. If they don't then we will be seeing a lot more of the MICHIGAN STATE POLICE! Demand that the township be up front and hold each one of the board members RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT THEY DO!!! They have lied to the residents of the township and someone is walking away with a big paycheck. I'll bet it is not any of us.
reddog801
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:31 p.m.
Boy Karen Lovejoy loves to write books and cannot be a down to earth type woman if she tried. Lets look at the facts here. Ypsilanti Township has 13 deputies that they contract because of the last FAILED mil. That some 4.8 million dollars over 1 year. What is the Ypsilanti Township trustee's failing to tell us here? Well they sent out this nice little letter that was a crock of crap and they were not honest with the residents and did not tell the residents that their board and the City of Ypsilanti board's have been meeting and talking about a merger with the City of Ypsilanti's police department. The township boards should be ashamed of itself and there needs to be a changing of the guard. Lovejoy, Stumbo, and some of the others have been flip flopping positions over the last many years and it's time that they be shown the door. What is the job of the Sheriff's department? Their only duties PER THE LAW are to house prisoners(jail) and provide the transportation for said prisoners back and forth to court. Their duties do not include road patrol. The sheriff's department is contracted by several of the townships including Ypsilanti Township. A 91% rise in contract rates since 2004 should be alarming to all of us that are residents. The Sheriff will not tell us the actual cost per deputy but we know it is 165,000-168,000 PER DEPUTY!!! If the Township does decide it would be in their best interest to merge with the City of Ypsilanti Police that cost will come down considerably! Which makes more sense??? The merger with YPD of coarse, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. DO NOT VOTE FOR THIS 1.5 MIL!!!! which will legally contract the sheriff's department for 3 years! Sure there will be less deputies on the road, but the sheriff's department has 10 general deputies that have to respond whether the township is paying or not. If they don't then we will be seeing a lot more of the MICHIGAN STATE POLICE! Demand that the township be up front and hold each one of the board members RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT THEY DO!!! They have lied to the residents of the township and someone is walking away with a big paycheck. I'll bet it is not any of us.
acme
Sat, Sep 18, 2010 : 4:27 p.m.
Vote NO on the millage increase. Two less patrols will eliminate traffic cops writing speeding tickets. We don't have any patrols in the newer neighborhoods anyhow. Karen is not being truthful when she said that elected officials have taken a 15-20% reduction in pay. They even misrepresented the facts when they voted to take a 3% cut in pay. The "3%" cut was only the "3% one-time bonus" they gave themselves the year before. Their pay has remained the same. Our elected representatives must be fiscally conservative or replaced. We are taxed enough already.
Tom Perkins
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 11:36 a.m.
Greggy D, That's $2 million for the first year. The Township is projecting generating much less the following year.
snapshot
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 3:15 p.m.
If the city was able to organize its own neighborhood associations they could impose a "security fee" and for the same amount they pay for "police protection" they could hire 12-15 private guards, outfit them with vehicles and equipment, and enjoy a much safer environment. The county cops would then be relegated to traffic duty, responding to security guard calls, and processing arrests. Kind of like a domestic "Blackwater" only suitably tempered.
snapshot
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 3:07 p.m.
Ypsilivin, read the Wall Street Journal or New York Times. The 35% may be about right when you consider the complete compensation packages of civil servants which is medical, pension, vacation, sick days, salary,other perks like low cost life insurance,transportation and parking subsidies, and overtime. You may not agree but then tat doesn't change the facts.Look them up.
klovejoyroe-ytownclerk
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 1:59 p.m.
Ypsilanti Township like all other municipalities has lost a tremendous amount of taxable value which is directly related to the extreme reduction of property values in our township. The closing of the General Motors Hydramatic facility hit the township very hard with loss of revenues generated from personal property losses at GM. Washtenaw County is continuing to require increases for the police service contract the township has with the county. In 2011 the County is requiring another 4% increase. This 4% increase amounts to the cost of one deputy. The property revenues will decline another 4% in 2011. Just these two facts: 4% increase in contract costs and 4% cut in revenues from property values will require two more deputies to be reduced in Ypsilanti Township. The township is utlizing savings in the police services fund balance to keep the 31 deputies on the road now. The number of deputies the township contracts for is currently is 31 which is down from just a few years ago of 44 deputies serving our residents. The police services fund balance will be depleted in 2011. The township unlike cities can not raise taxes without voter approval. The township can only provide services if they are voted for by the taxpayers. The township has reduced employees by 27 over the past few years. Positions that have not been filled when openings occur. There are plans to not fill more vacancies when retirements occur this year. The township employees are on a 32 hour work week. The township employees including union, management and elected officials have taken a 15-20% reduction in pay, benefits, time-off, pensions, etc. The township board can only provide services the voters of the township desire with specific millages. If the voters pass the police services millage of 1.5 mils in November, these funds can only be used to pay for police services by law and are regulated. The revenues generated will be used to maintain the current number of deputies working in the township currently and based on what further cuts in property values and taxable values occur in 2012 and 2013 the township may be able to add a limited number of deputies to the current number serving the township once those numbers are known after the new property assessments come out in Spring of 2011. Yes, the millage will add additional dollars immediately to the police services budget but those dollars must be used to sustain the current number of deputies over the life of the millage. The millage is only necessary because the prior millage revenues are drastically reduced. This millage is an attempt to try and restore just some of the revenues that have been lost to maintain our current number of officers working in Ypsilanti Township. Each year the millage is in place for the three years, (if passed) the revenues are projected to go down each year while the cost for contracting with the county will continue to rise. Most property owners realized a significant drop in property taxes this year and some will have another drop next year. For most property owners, if the police services millage passes in November, they will not see an increase that is more than the cut in taxes they received from the township. For a property owner whose property is valued on the market at $70,000 the 1.5 mils would cost $53.00 a year to keep our deputies on the road. If your property is valued at $50,000 the cost would be $38.00 a year. If your property is valued at $100,000 the cost would be $75.00 a year. If your property is valued at $150,000 the cost would be $113.00 a year. If your property is valued at $200,000 your cost would be $150.00 per year. If you have any questions or want more information please contact my office at klovejoyroe@ytown.org or call 734.484.4700. The township board voted to put the issue on the ballot which is required by law to generate revenues for police services. It is now up to the residents and voters of the township to decide if they want to keep the 31 deputies working in Ypsilanti Township or if they want the number of deputies reduced further. Thank you for your interest in this very important issue in our township.
Renee
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 10:51 a.m.
I agree that the math does not seem to add up, but it isn't a simple math problem. Based on the information in the article the millage would be funding 6 deputies, 4 new ones and the 2 we would lose as of Jan if the millage doesn't pass (ref. paragraph 3). Also, if property values go down again in 2012 as Stumbo states is expected, then in its second year the millage would not raise as much money. I think we need to have more information before we can start making assumptions that the amount the township is asking for is excessive.
jondhall
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 7:48 a.m.
Why spend money on police protection, when you can spend it on attorneys? Why police Liberty Square when you can shut it down, and get sued? These are bad judgement calls whoever is making them. Let the legal council work on a contingency basis? Follow the Liberty Square issue, you just never know. Who would of thought the employees at the now Government Motors would get more ownership than the bond holders? The township just might own Liberty Square!
Greggy_D
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 7:41 a.m.
Exactly Tom....if the price per deputy is $160,000, then why is Ypsi Twp going after $2 million (just in the first year) to pay for four additional deputies? Maybe my calculator is broken, but the math does not add up. The amount the Twp is asking for is excessive.
comm.man3000
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 7:24 a.m.
Sorry Tom Perkins, maybe you're spending too much time on the tennis court. This issue - the history of the of County's change in methodology for assessing the full compensation for Washtenaw County's deputies (salary & benefits); the ridiculous waste of the Ypsi Township's (the residents') $ on the court case that was taken all the way to the MI Supreme Court after being smacked down twice... (money, by the way, that could easily have paid for five or six deputies for the township)- is far more complicated and nuanced than this inch-thick article on this important millage portrays. More homework.
Tom Perkins
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 12:29 a.m.
Greggy D, That should have read $2 million in the first year.
Tom Perkins
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 12:21 a.m.
Greggy D, The per deputy prices for Augusta Township and Ypsilanti Township are nearly the same. I'm not sure where the $250,000 figure came from. This is cut from the story above: In 2004, one deputy cost $83,854, while in 2011 that figure is above $160,000 - a jump of 91 percent.
Greggy_D
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 9:33 p.m.
The cost per deputy is irrelevant to population or area. The quantity of deputies is relevant.
YpsiLivin
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 9:28 p.m.
Greggy_D, Augusta Township has about 5,000 residents. Ypsilanti Township has about 50,000. August Township has about 1,800 homes. Ypsilanti Township has about 23,000 homes. Augusta Township's population density is about 140 people per square mile. Ypsilanti Township's population density is about 1650 people per square mile. I'm not sure, but maybe this has something to do with the cost of policing in Ypsilanti Township.
simplytired
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 9:02 p.m.
This is an easy position to take until your family falls victim to the vandals. My home and automobile were vandalized in the last two months and would like to see additional coverage by the police on the south side of Whittaker Rd. It's pretty sad when the police can nail down the window when the auto break-ins are taking place but they are still unable to catch the crooks due to limited police coverage - what will it take??
InsideTheHall
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 6:17 p.m.
Greggy: Could it be hazardous duty pay?????
Greggy_D
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 5:52 p.m.
Reference this story: http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti/augusta-township-to-vote-on-police-millage/ Why does the exact same deputy cost Augusta Township $165,000, but $250,000 in Ypsilanti Township? It appears that Ypsi Twp is padding the numbers a bit. All the more reason to vote this millage down.
YpsiLivin
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 5:22 p.m.
jondhall, I fail to see how a statement about declining property values supports your statement: "Recent studies have shown that municipal workers are paid about 35 % more than private workers." I'd like to see the "recent studies" you cite. (When you go to the grocery store and you see people you don't know, do you assume they're not real because you don't know their names?)
jondhall
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 4:22 p.m.
@ Ypsi Livin: The documentation you seek is located here a great article by Ann Arbor.com http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/washtenaw-countys-2010-taxable-property-values-fell-less-than-other-counties-in-metro-detroit/ If fact Ypsilanti Township property values have declined even more they say from -15% to -23.4 %, I'm betting even more than that. So enjoy your Ypsilanti Living they will need bigger increases to come. That is if the assessor does his job properly. I say vote for the police services, but hold them accountable, as bigger property values drops will be here next year. @ Ypsi Living, please feel free to identify yourself so we know you are a real person.
jondhall
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 4:10 p.m.
@ Ypsi Livin http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/washtenaw-countys-2010-taxable-property-values-fell-less-than-other-counties-in-metro-detroit/ Is the proper link to find the Ann arbor.com article, Ypsilanti Township Values decline between -15% to -23.4% and I will be we are on the high end of that. So now I ask you to identify yourself, I do not hide behind a pen name. Thank you for your valuable input, not many seem to care about Ypsilanti, if this was Ann arbor we would have post after post. Imagine that.
Mr. Ed
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 2:54 p.m.
In reviewing the 2010 budget I see an increase of 150,000.00 for legal fees. Very suspicious since the legal department offered to reduce their cost to help with the downturn in the economy. Is the legal fees high for this twp?
glimmertwin
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 2:41 p.m.
If Ypsi Township can't current provide fundamental services, such as police services, than no way should they get more money. Fundamental services should precede things like golf courses, compost centers, excessive legal fees for lawsuits without a chance, even a fancy government building. Get out of the business of stuff they have no business in. Then, come to the voters. Constantly asking for more without changing what obviously is not working is no solution. It only is a solution to get voted right out of office.
jbhuron
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 12:54 p.m.
Jay- let's get the facts straight. We vote down millages because our taxes are already higher with the exception of ann arbor vs. ypsi township there is a one mil difference. Everything else isn't even close. Compare Ypsi an Ypsi Twnshp to Ann Arbor, Lodi, Scio, A2 township. Ann arbor decided to be a 'schools of choice' so don't put that on anyone else. http://www.aaabor.com/downloads/Resources/MLSResources/Tax_Rates.pdf Anyway, no one lost there job during the last millage failure. So let's get this one defeated too! Smaller city, smaller budget. http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsi-twp-to-reduce-deputies/index.php
Jay Thomas
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 11 a.m.
Towns to the east of us frequently vote down millage requests for police, education, etc. and would prefer that the county pick up the tab for their policing, homeless services, etc; and places like Ann Arbor educate their students.
YpsiLivin
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 10:36 a.m.
jondhall, Please identify the "recent studies" you're relying on for support. Without credible proof of your assertions, you appear to be circulating fictitious information.
jondhall
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 10:10 a.m.
@ xmo That is such a brilliant idea it will never come to pass! While one might vote for increased millage for schools and police protection, no one would vote for increased pay for public servants and increased legal fees for municipal attorneys. FYI I think the taxes are going to decrease much more than the proposed 3% -4%.(Officials are projecting a 3 percent to 4 percent loss of revenue from property value in 2011,) Recent studies have shown that municipal workers are paid about 35 % more than private workers, if that is true then maybe, just maybe.........
Ricebrnr
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 9:22 a.m.
Want to reduce crime for cheap? Follow the example of Kennesaw, Ga and pass highly publicized but largely ceremonial ordinances letting criminals know that the cost of doing business in your town can be VERY high. Want to actually do something? Have the police offer free or low cost gun safety and CPL training. Advertise it heavily. Let's see how your crime problem is after that. AND NO guns don't solve all problems, this is but ONE idea and one that usually is dismissed out of hand.
xmo
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 9:06 a.m.
At the present time,"Police services make up roughly one-third of the townships budget" why doesn't the township cut something else and make Police service 1/2 or more of the budget? The voters of Ypsi Township keep voting for the same party and look what it has gotten them. Maybe it time to voters those willy nilly public servants out of office and replace them with someone else!
oldrustynail
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 8:47 a.m.
Police presence is paramount in preventing crime and promoting public safety. I hate to pay more in taxes, but I do not want my street, my neighborhood, and my community to be easy prey to criminals.
Greggy_D
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 8:38 a.m.
So....2 million over 2 years for 4 deputies. That is $250,000 per year, per deputy. I think Brenda Stumbo says it best, "No one can sustain that". Hopefully this gets shot down in November, just like last year.
Jeremy
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 7:40 a.m.
No one in Ypsi Township should be afraid of losing more deputies. Stumbo has waited a full year to contact another municipality about more "consistent" police services. Obviously, public safety was not priority since crime did not significantly increase. Likewise, anyone that has taken ECON 101 will know that crime drops as an economy improves. Adding resources to prevention does nothing but increases revenue from misdemeanor traffic tickets since officers have more idle time to watch four way stops for 2+ hours per day like they used to do at hitchingham and bemis. While anecdotal, I cannot recall spotting a male officer under 300 lbs. So begin "stretched thin" may also be in improvement.