Harper Woods council opens hearing on police, fire millage; adoption moved after members say two hearings required

Harper Woods Mayor Kendall and council members opened a public hearing May 5 on continuing a special assessment district that would levy 17.5 mills to help fund police and fire services.

Acting City Manager Shamansky told the council the proposal reduces the current levy from 20 mills to 17.5 — “8.75 mills for police, and 8.75 mills for fire” — and said, “No cuts in service, no layoffs, no equipment shortages. Police and fire are gonna be fully funded.”

Council members asked procedural questions about the hearing schedule. A council member said they believed two public hearings were required before adopting the resolution; City Attorney DeWally confirmed that two hearings were required and that this session was the first. Following that exchange the council moved the adoption item to the next meeting rather than vote on the resolution May 5.

The acting city manager framed the measure as an annual request “to help offset the cost of police and fire,” and said the city has reduced the millage from a previous 20 mills. No public speakers addressed the millage during the hearing and the council closed the hearing the same evening.

The council did not adopt the resolution; the item was postponed to the next council meeting to allow the second public hearing required by local procedure. Council members asked for printed tax-rule information on a table for residents who wanted to see how the tax change would affect individual properties.

Next steps: the council will schedule or hold the required second public hearing and return to the resolution for possible adoption at a later meeting.