There is some confusion about the two millage requests on the August 2, 2016 ballot regarding the Orion Township Fire Department Fire Fund and the Police Fund Millage.
Neither one of these ballots are asking for any increase in operations. Both departments are working very efficiently on the taxes that are currently in place but at present time we are collecting from two different funds for each department. This shows up on the winter tax bill as two for the police and two for the fire department. All four expire at the end of this year and in past years it was strictly asking for a renewal to continue doing business as usual. Because they are all due this year it was decided to simplify and combine each into one and create ballot language that shows the two police funds, which now collects 2.9885, and make it one fund for 2.9885. The fire department now collects from two funds equaling 1.9840 and combining them into one will collect 1.9840.
Simply put there will be NO INCREASE to either fund, only to simplify it by combining them into one for each department.
Fire Fund Millage-
In 2014 the voters in Orion Township approved a renewal of the millage for the Fire Fund and an additional millage to provide full time personnel 24/7 at each of the Fire Stations. This meant quicker response times and a greatly increased potential for saving lives. The millage expires this year. The Township Board has combined the Fire Fund millage and is asking for approval to levy that combined millage for another 4 years.
2014 Fire Fund 1: 0.9916
Fire Fund 2: 1.0000
Total: 1.9916
2015 Fire Fund 1: 0.9878
Fire Fund 2: 0.9962
Total: 1.9840
2016 Request – Fire: 1.9840
Police Fund Millage-
In 2012 the voters in Orion Township approved a renewal of the millage for the Police Fund (Sheriff’s Deputies) and additional millage for increased coverage and services. The Millage expires this year. The Township Board has combined the Police Fund Millage, and is asking for approval to levy that combined millage for another 4 years.
2014 Police Fund 1: 1.9832
Police Fund 2: 1.0168
Total: 3.0000
2015 Police Fund 1: 1.9756
Police Fund 2: 1.0129
Total: 2.9885
2016 Request – Police: 2.9885
Thank you for allowing the time to explain the ballot questions for both the Orion Township Fire Department and the Orion Police Fund (Oak. Cty. Sheriff Dept.).
Robert G Smith
Orion Fire Chief