Stockbridge council approves plan for Police Services Special Assessment District after public hearings

The Village of Stockbridge Council approved a resolution laying out plans and estimated costs to create a Police Services Special Assessment District and to set a levy for fiscal year 2026–2027 following two public hearings and extensive public comment.

President Robyn Ogden opened the initial public hearing at 7:06 p.m. for the establishment of the district; staff provided an explanation of the proposal. During the hearing the Beckwith Preserve — Legacy Land Conservancy, which identified itself as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3), requested exclusion from the proposed assessment district. A second public hearing at 7:22 p.m. focused on the proposed levy for FY 2026–2027 and drew multiple residents who raised concerns about the levy level, municipal budgets and operations of the police department. Speakers who commented on the levy included Jackie Sheller, Jack Marshall, Jake McQuirsky, Mary Wilson, C.G. Lantis, Linda Dancer, Taylor Allen, Jim Johnson, Tom Ford and Michelle Outwater.

Council considered Resolution 04-16-2026-001, described in the meeting as "to describe the plans for the improvement of a special assessment district for the operation and maintenance of the Stockbridge Police Department and the estimated costs of said improvement and set the public hearings on establishing the special assessment district and levy." The council initially recorded a roll-call approval but then rescinded that action after members clarified that two presented items constituted a single resolution. After rescission, the council voted again to adopt the single resolution. The final roll call recorded ayes from Connolly, Howlett, Cattell, McManaman and Ogden; Morehouse voted nay; Fairbotham was absent.

Attorney John Gormley answered numerous questions raised during public comment, according to the minutes. Council members spoke in the general discussion: Morehouse and Howlett expressed support for police authority and hopes the action would lower taxes; Connolly and Cattell said they believed or hoped the assessment would be a one-time charge. The minutes record that council encouraged continued community engagement on the police authority question.

The resolution as described sets forth the district plan and estimated costs and establishes the public process required to implement the assessment and levy. The council did not record implementation dates or levy rates in the minutes beyond noting that the action relates to FY 2026–2027. The council adjourned at 8:58 p.m.

Next steps documented in the minutes include administrative follow-up to implement the resolution and any additional notifications or statutory steps required to finalize the special assessment district and levy; the minutes do not specify exact dates for those follow-ups.