Atlas Twp.- Staying safe in the township is going to cost everyone more.
By a 4-1 vote on Monday night the township board of trustees voted to move forward with a new sheriff proposal for the 2009-10 fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The new sheriff contract which is estimated at $539,000, will include four deputies, same as in prior years, but also funding for a detective-sergeant which both Fenton and Atlas townships had not funded previously. The residents of Vienna Township, who also have a contract with the sheriff department for police coverage, is currently charged for the service said James Gage, Genesee County undersheriff.
Last year the sheriff contract cost taxpayers about $476,000 plus incidental cost bringing the total to $503,000 for the last year.
Gage is considering splitting the $130,000 detective-sergeant position between Fenton Township (60 percent) and the township (40 percent). The cost of the four township deputies will remain the same until January 2010, three months into the township contract, when they will receive a 2.5 percent pay hike. The next pay change will not occur until June 2011, added Gage.
The township established a contract with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department about 14 years ago, funded by 1 mill from area property owners. Funding for the deputires was increased in 2005 by a special assessment of $50 for every improved lot and $25 for unimproved lots, which is set to expire in 2010.
Currently, the 1 mill generates $330,000, while the special assessment garners $162,679 per year. January 2010 will be the last of the special assessment. Township Supervisor Shirley Kautman Jones estimated the 1 mill will only produce about $280,000 next year due to sagging property values. The decline will leave the township about $100,000 short of what is necessary for the new contract.
‘Right now the sheriff’s department, along with the county, is hammering out a budget,? said Jones, who voted ‘no? on the sheriff proposal. ‘The sheriff’s department has no idea where they stand’how can we? I am pleased with the coverage, but right now we still don’t have a contract to vote on, it’s just numbers on a page. It’s not right to vote on that until we get a contract in front of us’these costs are projected.?
Trustee Berry June did not see it that way.
‘We are not in a real strong position to banter with the sheriff’s department,? said June.
‘Just what are we going to do? We get good services from them and we know what the costs are going to be. It’s not that far out of line. If you want a cop shop, you have to pay for it.?
June said the township general fund will have to support the sheriff’s contract due to the shortages and at least he is against raising taxes to cover the additional costs.
‘Over the next year we can take a look at the service and what our options are. The special assessment will expire next year and we’ll have to make some tough choices in the township. But this is not the time to challenge the safety of the community.?