Voters will decide on the necessity of an emergency services millage during the Aug. 6 primary.
For every $1,000 of taxable property, residents must have an additional $1.25 in property taxes. The millage is an increase from a previous .96 mil and will remain in effect until 2017.
The millage is for residents of Locke, Leroy, Wheatfield and Williamston, in northeast Ingham County, and would raise an estimated $553,144 in the first year if passed. Residents with a $60,000 home must pay an additional $17.35 per year under the proposal. The millage will help pay for emergency services like fire departments and medical services.
Emergency services funding will be particularly important with Gov. John Engler’s recent cuts, Commissioner Curtis Hertel Jr. said, about the governor’s recent veto of a revenue sharing bill.
Engler’s veto last Thursday came at a rough time for some communities officials say. But the governor’s spokespeople said it was to help balance the budget.
“If we don’t pass things like this, rural areas of the state are going to be in serious trouble,” Hertel said. “It’s always good to have money available for fire and ambulance services. It’s obviously needed.”
Other Ingham County commissioners said changes in emergency services were made to help improve how they operate.
“With a renewal it’s routine but when you’re looking at additions, it’s in reference to meeting needs adequately,” Commissioner Debbie De Leon said.
“We need to look at emergency services and be prepared,” De Leon added. “There isn’t a lot of local dollars that are earmarked for these services.”
Lansing, East Lansing and county emergency services are in need of funding to keep up technology and other factors, she said.
“We’re further ahead than a lot of communities,” De Leon said. “And that’s in large part due to the leadership and the funding.”
Another factor concerning the millage is in the event of possible disasters.
“Especially in light of past events the emergency services are of particular importance right now,” said Susan Carter, executive director of the Lansing Area Safety Council.
But other items like education, training and equipment need to be added to help keep the services really prepared, she said.
“We would be remiss if these services weren’t adequately funded,” she said. “We can’t be too prepared.”
