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Resident urges transparency on law enforcement millage; officials say funds will cover STING officer and SRO
Summary
At public comment, Deb Coulon asked for transparency and for the law enforcement millage to be frozen because the fund balance was large; Captain David Hughes said the 0.25 millage was intended for one position, retention difficulties have increased the balance, and paying for two positions will draw funds down over about three years.
During the public-comment period, Deb Coulon, Oscoda County Economic Development Corporation chair, asked the board to consider freezing the law enforcement millage because the fund balance exceeded roughly $600,000 and residents want transparency on how the money is spent. She asked whether the millage could be frozen until the balance is spent and whether the county could add an additional School Resource Officer so each school would have coverage.
Chair Varner noted that staff typically do not answer questions during public comment but encouraged Coulon to meet with county staff after the meeting. Captain David Hughes of the sheriff’s office explained the 0.25 millage was originally intended to fund one position but retention problems led the fund to grow; when the county begins paying for two positions (a STING officer and a School Resource Officer), Hughes said the funds would be expended over a roughly three-year period and freezing the millage now could leave the county unable to sustain positions once hired.
Coulon asked, "What does a STING Officer and School Resource Officer would cost the County per year?" Varner encouraged Coulon and Captain Hughes to discuss details after the meeting and to bring the matter to township leaders for further conversation.
