Police millage up for renewal in August

Police millage up for renewal in August

By Aileen Wingblad

STAFF WRITER

Voters in Highland will face a millage renewal proposal at the primary election this August to pay for police service in the township.

If passed, the millage will continue a 2.78-mill levy for six years, running from 2009 through 2014. A mill equates to $1,000 of a property's taxable value. For example, the owner of a $200,000 home which has a taxable value of $100,000 will pay about $278 per year for police service.

The proposed millage is a renewal of a previously authorized millage approved by voters in 2002. That levy of 2.865 mills has been reduced to 2.78 mills, due to the Headlee Amendment.

The Headlee Amendment limits tax increases each year to the rate of inflation or 5 percent, whichever is less. Millage rates are rolled back when there is a hike in property values or an increase in the number of property owners paying taxes. Officials decided to ask voters for the same millage they've been paying recently, rather than propose a Headlee override to return the levy to its original rate.

Highland Township contracts with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office for police service. Deputies work out of a substation next to the township offices under the supervision of Lt. David Pement.

Based on feedback township official receive, Highland is "well-served" by the county deputies, said Triscia Pilchowski, Highland Township supervisor.

"We're confident the residents will vote for the renewal," she said.

If renewed, the millage will bring in an estimated $2.35 million dollars in its first year.

A committee is forming in Highland to help promote the millage renewal. Anyone interested should call the township offices at (248) 887-3791.

"We're hoping for a few residents who support the sheriff department to step up and sign on for the committee so that they can represent the sheriff department and the police millage," Pilchowski said.

The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 5.

Contact Aileen Wingblad at (248) 685-1507 ext. 261 or by e-mail at awingblad@gannett.com.