Brandon Twp.- No money, no sergeant.
A continuing budget crunch has resulted in the township and neighboring Oxford Township eliminating a shared sergeant position.
‘It was a tough call,? said Brandon Township Supervisor Ron Lapp. ‘It’s getting more difficult to make ends meet in all aspects of government.?
The move, approved by the township board at the Aug. 7 meeting, means the loss of an Oakland County Sheriff’s office sergeant between the hours of 8 p.m.- 4 a.m. offering supervision to deputies in the two townships. Earlier this year, Addison Township withdrew from a contract the three municipalities had for approximately three years, sharing the yearly cost of about $124,581. Addison formerly paid 20 percent of the contract, while Brandon and Oxford each paid 40 percent of the cost.
Oxford and Brandon townships planned to split the contract 50-50 after Addison dropped out, but found it cost prohibitive. The elimination of the position in which the sergeant was stationed in the area will mean a savings of $10,000 monthly for each township.
The contract will terminate Sept. 7. Deputies on the afternoon and midnight shifts in Brandon will continue to receive supervision from an Oakland County on-duty sergeant that would respond from Pontiac. Brandon Substation commander Sgt. Tim McIsaac will still respond to major incidents from 8 p.m.- 4 a.m., as he did when the shared sergeant position was in place.
‘It’s always nice to have the (extra) supervision, but times are tight,? said McIsaac. ‘We had to do it… Everybody’s hurting right now.?