As the new year begins, the idea for a new Oakland County Sheriff’s substation in Springfield Township lives on.
The project isn’t yet a go, but the Township Board approved $29,500 in contingency funds. The substation is one possible use for it.
“I believe it would be a worthwhile endeavor,” said Supervisor Mike Trout at the November township meeting. “It’s a good deal. I’m not suggesting we rush in and make a commitment, but I think should leave it in the budget. We can always make changes.”
The $54,000 proposal includes adapting 1,532 square feet in Springfield Township Fire Department’s Dixie Highway station for police. It would replace deputies’ substation in Colombiere Center on Big Lake Road.
The township should continue to seek additional funding, such as donations, and check its police fund balance after the spring budget audit before proceeding further, said Trustee Dennis Vallad.
“If it turns out it’s unfundable, we just don’t do the project,” Vallad said. “Let’s keep pursuing the goal. It’s something necessary ? it’s been necessary for some time.”
With state-shared and tax revenue falling, the township should hold off on the project at least a year, said Treasurer Jamie Dubre.
“We need to plan more,” Dubre said. “We need to know what our funds are to do it. It took a long time for the civic center and fire station ? we should go to the tax payers. If they want it, I’d be all for it.”
A new substation would be more accessible and visible to the public than Colombiere. Also, the current substation shares space with a residential substance abusers treatment center, which causes privacy and security issues for deputies and residents coming in to file reports, said Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe to trustees.
“It’s not the greatest location,” McCabe said. “Co-locating with the fire department would have a lot of pluses ? I see this as a win for you and a win for us.”
Non-violent jail inmates could provide free labor, with the county obtaining all permits and inspections, he said.
“It would be a first-class operation,” he said.
The substation issue and expected losses in state-shared funding were the most significant points of discussion on the township’s 2010 budget, which was approved unanimously, Nov. 12.
Dubre said she expects next year’s state revenues to fall by about $25,000.
“State share, tax revenues, and fund balances are all declining,” she said.
“I expect a 10 percent decrease in revenues for the next couple of years at least,” Trout said. “We’re looking for ways to be more efficient ? that’s the key.”
According to the 2010 budget, property tax revenue is expected to fall from $685,000 in 2009 to $640,000, with $600,000 estimated in 2011. State-shared revenue falls from $880,000 budget in 2009 to $800,000 in 2010, with $750,000 estimated for 2011. Township board voted unanimously, Dec. 3, to freeze salaries for elected officials for 2010.

Springfield Twp. budget

General Fund, $1.98 million revenue, $1.97 million expenses;
Fire, $907,750 revenue, $882,750 expenses;
Police, $1.57 million revenue, $1.56 million expenses;
Cemetery, $700 revenue, $0 expenses;
Building, $64,350 revenue, $64,350 expenses;
Cable TV, $63,000 revenue, $41,000 expenses;
Softwater Lake Improvement, $15,000 revenue, $15,000 expenses;
Parks, $512,875 revenue, $512,873 expenses;
Lake Improvement, $311,284 revenue, $270,650 expenses;
Civic Center Debt, $377,000 revenue, $377,000 expenses;
Softwater Sewer S.A.D. Debt Service, $121,000 revenue, $121,000 expenses