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Rochester Hills rescinds resolution of intent on police funding after Oakland County rate hikes
Summary
Council unanimously rescinded a prior resolution of intent tying police millage increases to offsetting reductions in the general operating millage, responding to a multi-year contract increase approved by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners that created a projected multi-million-dollar shortfall.
The Rochester Hills City Council voted unanimously on July 7 to rescind a prior council "resolution of intent" that had committed the city to offset any increase in the police millage with a corresponding decrease in the city's general operating millage.
Finance Director Joe Snyder told council the action responds to an unanticipated set of contract rate increases the Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved for Oakland County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) services after the city adopted its budget. Snyder said the county-approved contract increases total roughly 36% over 2025'2027 (a 17.9% increase in year one followed by two 9% increases), and that "by year 3... an annual budget shortfall of approximately $2,400,000 per year is forecasted." He described five options the city examined to address the shortfall: reduce OCSO staffing (estimated cut of about 10 deputies), reduce general fund staff, use fund balances, ask voters for a new police millage, or rescind the resolution of intent so the council could levy within voter-authorized limits.
Snyder recommended the council rescind the prior resolution of intent so the city could levy additional police millage within the limits already approved by voters in November 2023. Rescinding the intent would allow the city to increase the police millage up to the previously authorized cap (3.4864 mills) without an automatic offset to the general operating millage. Snyder said the net increase projected to balance revenues and expenditures by 2027 would be about 0.4344 mill and estimated the bottom-line city millage would rise by approximately 0.4344 mill — an increase of roughly $86 per year for a homeowner of a $400,000 home.
Several councilmembers emphasized their reluctance to reduce police staffing or cut general city services. Councilmember Neubauer said, "I will never vote to cut police staff. I will never vote not to support our first responders." Councilmember Mangioli said she dislikes raising taxes but said public safety must be protected and encouraged residents to contact county commissioners about the county's decision. Councilmembers also expressed frustration with the timing and transparency of Oakland County's decision-making; multiple councilmembers asked for more detailed county accounting and said they would pursue clarity with county officials.
The motion rescinding the resolution of intent passed unanimously. City administration said the change will allow the police fund to be sustained at current OCSO staffing levels through 2030 under the projected levy path and that any future increases to the police millage would be dedicated to police fund activities, not general fund spending.
