LANSING, Mich. — Voters in Eaton County have rejected a proposed millage that aimed to raise funding for local public safety services. The measure, which would have generated an estimated $10 million in its first year, failed to pass with 56.7% of voters opposed and 43.3% in favor.
The proposed millage was intended to raise taxes by approximately $12 per month for the average homeowner, with the funds designated for the Eaton County Sheriff’s Department, the Prosecutor’s Office, and animal control services. Local officials had argued that the additional funding was critical to maintaining public safety in the county, particularly in the face of rising costs and staffing shortages.
Sheriff’s officials warned that without the new revenue, they would be forced to make significant cuts to their road patrol staff. The Prosecutor’s Office also stated that a failure to secure the millage would force them to reduce their operations. The loss of funding would be felt especially in the county’s rural areas, where response times could lengthen.
Despite these concerns, some voters voiced dissatisfaction with the millage proposal, citing concerns about government spending and taxes. Several residents expressed frustration over being repeatedly asked to approve new taxes and questioned whether the county had managed its finances responsibly.
“I’m disappointed, but you know this was an opportunity for the public to make a decision on whether they wanted to keep the Eaton County road patrol,” said Jim Mott, Chairman of the Eaton County Board of Commissioners. “The call times are going to be longer, or the wait time for assistance is going to be longer, especially in the outlying areas.”
As a result of the millage failure, Eaton County will likely lean more heavily on the Michigan State Police for coverage. Additionally, in September, the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office will no longer patrol Delta Township, as their current contract expires.
This marks the second time in less than a year that Eaton County voters have rejected a millage for public safety services. A similar proposal was narrowly defeated in November, with 51.7% of voters opposing it and 48.3% in favor.
As local officials process the results, the future of Eaton County’s public safety services remains uncertain, with many residents and officials hoping for further dialogue on how to address the county’s growing needs.
