Traverse City Record-Eagle

Election 2007

November 6, 2007

Elmwood voters douse fire millage again

By Bill O'Brien

GREILICKVILLE — Elmwood Township voters shot down a five-year fire department millage proposal for the second time since August.

The margin of defeat was significantly lower than three months ago, but voters rejected a five-year, 1.282-mill fire millage proposal with an unofficial total of 778 "no" votes to 581 who favored the levy.

Township officials said they'll be forced to cut the department's budget while they mull another proposal to put before voters.

"We'll have to start cutting the operations," township Clerk Connie Preston said.

The proposal included .9-mills for operations and .382-mills for equipment, and would have raised just over $320,000 annually for the department. Almost $96,000 of that total was targeted for new equipment, including replacement of a 27-year-old engine.

Tuesday's vote was much closer than the August primary election, when more than 76 percent of voters rejected a larger proposal of 1.572 mills over five years that would have raised close to $400,000 a year.

Preston said there was more support for Tuesday's proposal with a larger voter turnout, but she suspected some residents were wary of any tax increases.

"It might be a matter of they just can't afford it on their property taxes," she said.

Resident Bob Hauske pointed to "high taxes" in general as the reason for his "no" vote.

"From what I've read and heard, I'm not sure all the money is being used properly, anyway," Hauske said.

Resident John Zywicki also voted against the levy. He said it was a lot for a township that doesn't provide ambulance service and for a department that's partially a volunteer operation.

"I didn't figure it was worth it," he said.

Others supported the levy, saying the fire department is important to the township.

"I hear (the fire trucks) go by my house all the time ... I think it's one of those things where you need to be able to respond," resident Jennifer Oakley said.

Preston said the township will collect a .3765-mill levy on the Dec. 1 tax bills to help fund operations, but a long-term replacement is needed for the expiring millage.

"Something has to go on the ballot next year," she said.

Text Only