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Did you know that a township is not mandated by law to provide fire services? Each municipality must decide on its own whether to fund fire services. Dexter Township, together with Webster Township and City of Dexter, have been working together since the 1980s to provide quality fire protection. Though the cost of fire services are expected to increase beyond the rates of the expired millage, the township opted to use the fire fund balance maintained by the township to fill any potential shortfall and to not ask voters to approve a millage rate that was more than the mills previously authorized by voters. This approach means township residents will not see any increase in the millage rate that was previously imposed for fire and emergency services in the past 5 years. Local fire services enhance insurance ratings which can help Dexter Township residents maintain affordable home and renter’s insurance.
The text of the question for the fire millage to be posed to voters as passed by the Township Board at the special meeting on December 1, 2023 is as follows:
“Proposal to Renew Dexter Township Fire and Emergency Services Millage
In 2018 the voters of Dexter Township approved a 5-year 2.4 mill Fire and Emergency Services millage to continue to provide fire and emergency services in Dexter Township. That millage expired on December 31, 2023. To continue to provide revenue for the provision of Fire and Emergency Services, the Township is permitted by law to seek a renewal of the expired millage. This renewal will not increase the millage rate that was imposed in 2023 for fire and emergency services.
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed on taxable property in the Township of Dexter, Washtenaw County, Michigan, be increased by $2.3543 per $1000 of taxable value (2.3543 mill) for a period of five (5) years, 2024 through 2028 inclusive, as a renewal of a previously voter authorized millage that expired on December 31, 2023 to provide funds for all lawful fire and emergency services including personnel, equipment and facilities? It is estimated that 2.3543 mill would raise approximately $1,160,576.04 when first levied in 2024.”
Currently, Dexter Township contracts with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department to provide dedicated police services in the Township, ensuring around-the-clock police response for residents in Dexter Township. The expired millage provided the funds to financially support that contract.
The text of the question for the police millage to be posed to voters as passed by the Township Board at the special meeting on December 1, 2023 is as follows:
“Proposal to Renew Dexter Township Police Services Millage
In 2006, the voters of Dexter Township approved a 5-year, 1.5 mill Police Services Millage. In 2011, 2014 and 2018, the voters of Dexter Township approved renewals to that millage at lawful rates to continue to provide Police Services in Dexter Township. The 2018 millage renewal of 1.4199 mill expired on December 31, 2023. To continue to provide revenue for the provision of Police Services, the Township is permitted by law to seek a renewal of the expired millage. This renewal will not increase the millage rate that was imposed in 2023 for police services.
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed on taxable property in the Township of Dexter, Washtenaw County, Michigan, be increased by $1.3903 per $1000 of taxable value (1.3903 mill) for a period of five (5) years, 2024 through 2028 inclusive, as a renewal of a previously voter authorized millage to provide funds for all lawful police services including personnel, equipment and facilities? It is estimated that 1.3903 mill would raise approximately $685,362.47 when first levied in 2024.”