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Ways & Means forwards public‑safety millage resolution to full board after divided debate
Summary
After extensive debate about timing, ballot language and likely turnout, the committee voted to forward a resolution proposing a dedicated public‑safety millage to the full board for a final decision. Commissioners expressed divided views about placing the measure before voters while most of the board is outgoing.
The committee debated whether the outgoing board should place a public‑safety millage question on the ballot and whether to move forward immediately or leave the choice to the incoming board. Chairman Jim Mott urged urgency, saying the county’s staffing shortfalls and recruitment challenges for public safety are immediate and that waiting would make the county’s position worse.
"The longer we wait that's the deeper the hole that we're going to be in," Chairman Mott said, arguing the county risks losing recruits and trainees already in the pipeline. Several commissioners agreed about the operational need, but others raised concerns about timing, ballot language clarity and voter turnout. Commissioner Augustine said he supported the concept but was concerned the committee was acting hastily and preferred additional vetting. Commissioner Brailler and others questioned whether February or May election timing and low turnout would help passage.
Sheriff's office leadership and county prosecutorial staff urged support; the sheriff said the millage would fund road patrol, prosecution capacity and IT needs and warned that without additional resources the office will have to prioritize cases. "If we don't, then we end up with situations that we have now," the sheriff said.
After extended discussion, Commissioner Lawsonhauser moved and the committee supported forwarding the millage resolution to the full board for formal consideration at the Wednesday meeting. The motion to forward carried on a voice vote with multiple commissioners saying aye and some saying no. Commissioners and Delta Township Clerk Kim Clark discussed outreach plans; Clark offered to assist with mail‑ballot outreach in Delta Township.
The committee did not set final millage wording in this meeting; the resolution will go to the full board where the final ballot language and timing will be set.
