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Mattawan council approves 6.0-mill special police assessment after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing in which police leadership warned that cuts could force layoffs and jeopardize 24-hour coverage, the Village of Mattawan Council voted 7–0 to set a 6.0-mill special police assessment for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
The Village of Mattawan Council voted unanimously on Feb. 23 to adopt a resolution setting a special police assessment rate of 6.0 mills for the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
At a public hearing before the vote, Lieutenant Britton, citing information from Chief Mansfield, told the council there had been “471 calls so far in 2026” and warned that cutting overtime alone would not preserve current coverage. He said further reductions would require layoffs and could leave county departments as the only responders in some cases, creating response delays of “up to several hours,” according to his remarks to the council. Village Manager McGrew echoed that deeper cuts would necessitate layoffs and reductions to community services.
Council member Jon Daniel moved to adopt the resolution; Begeman seconded. The roll call vote was Begeman, Daniel, Gurley, McLean, Monroe, Streeter and Stuut — yes, 7–0.
Why it matters: The assessment is intended to fund police staffing and sustain local, 24-hour coverage that officials said yields faster response times than relying solely on county mutual aid. Lieutenant Britton and Manager McGrew told the council that benefit-cost uncertainties remain and that the final fiscal picture will be revisited during upcoming budget meetings.
The resolution takes effect for the 2026–27 fiscal year. The council closed the public hearing before voting and approved the measure on the same night.
