Burton council approves police millage resolution; clerk outlines precinct consolidation after Atherton withdraws as polling site

Burton City Council voted to place a police millage renewal on the May ballot and heard the city clerk describe steps to consolidate precincts after Atherton school informed officials it will no longer host elections beginning in 2025.

The millage resolution, moved by Vice President Hall and supported by Councilwoman Hixson, passed on a roll call vote with Councilman Heffner voting no and the remaining members voting yes. The council recorded the motion as approved during the meeting.

Why it matters: Council members and city officials said the renewal is intended to preserve current police staffing levels and avoid large budget shortfalls if the levy lapses. Several council members urged wide public information and said timing for placing the measure on a ballot is time-sensitive.

Mayor (role: Mayor) told the council that “this is a renewal. This is not an increase,” and that the funding supports the police department’s existing operations. The city clerk (role: City Clerk) told the council the election commission met and approved a plan to reduce Burton’s precincts from 12 to 8, a change made possible by a statewide change in the maximum number of registered voters per precinct that went into effect in November 2023. The clerk said the city will send notices to voters and update the qualified voter file with the state.

Councilman Smith emphasized the budget stakes, saying, “Right now, in the General Fund, we take a million dollars out of the general fund to pay for the police.” Smith warned that losing the renewal would force large changes to the city’s finances and operations.

Opposition to a May ballot date appeared during discussion. Councilman Heffner said he dislikes May elections and called them “sneaky,” arguing they draw lower turnout historically. Supporters replied that changes in absentee voting and permanent absent voter lists mean more ballots will be distributed for May elections now than in previous years.

The clerk also reported that Atherton’s superintendent cited security concerns — including voters moving through school hallways and bathrooms during elections — when notifying the city in August that the school would not host elections after 2024. The clerk said Atherton agreed to allow polling through November 2024 but will be unavailable beginning in 2025.

The council did not take additional formal action on precinct boundaries at this meeting; the clerk said she will finalize plans with the mayor and submit updated precinct maps and voter-file instructions to state election officials.

The council recorded the millage resolution vote during the meeting; the item passed and the city will prepare ballot language and voter notices ahead of the May election deadline.