Chairman Jim Mott said the county must return to voters with clearer language to fund public safety, arguing the county is already losing personnel and training opportunities: "We actually don't have a lot of time if we're going to put it on the ballot," he said, urging the board to act now.

The Ways & Means committee voted to forward the proposed dedicated public-safety millage resolution to the full board for a final decision. The motion was moved, supported and advanced by voice vote.

Why it matters: Supporters and county law-enforcement leaders said the millage — pitched as dedicated to road patrol, prosecution and IT needs — would supplement existing public-safety funding and stem growing service gaps that staff say have developed over years. "This financial deficit that this county is dealing with today was not brewed overnight," the county sheriff said, arguing commissioners must "take responsibility" and act.

Debate and dissent: Several commissioners objected to the timing and scope. Commissioner Augustine said she could support the concept once fully vetted but would not back the current resolution, calling it "a little rushed" with unanswered questions about how a smaller two-mill ask would change service levels or require cuts elsewhere. Commissioner Brailler and others warned low turnout in a May election could doom the measure and said earlier ballot language confused many voters in the prior attempt.

Community input and local variation: Delta Township officials and the Delta clerk urged clearer, localized outreach; Delta had supported aspects of the prior proposal, and local officials pledged to help with voter education. Commissioners noted that agricultural property owners raised concerns about the millage’s per‑mill cost for large acreage holdings.

What comes next: The committee’s action sends the resolution and supporting materials to the full board at its Wednesday meeting, where commissioners will vote on whether to place the question on the May ballot. If placed on the ballot, county staff and officials signaled plans for more targeted outreach to explain the dedicated uses and the net impact on property owners.

Ending: The committee advanced the resolution but left open critical policy and outreach questions many said must be resolved before a final countywide campaign.