Voters in at least five Metro Detroit communities rejected police and fire millages in Tuesday's primary election, raising questions about how those departments will be funded going forward.
In Oakland County, voters said no to a police services renewal in Brandon Township; a fire department millage in Highland Township; a police protection millage in Independence Township, along with a separate millage for a school resources officer in the township; and a police operating millage in Orion Township, along with a separate fire and EMS millage in Orion.
And in Wayne County, Sumpter Township voters also rejected a police services millage renewal.
Most of the millages were renewals, meaning they weren't new taxes, but some asked voters to approve higher millage rates, meaning tax rates would've increased.
Brandon Township, Independence Township and Orion Township all contract with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office for police services. The three townships are among the 15 Oakland County communities the sheriff's office contracts with for law enforcement.
In Independence Township, where voters rejected a 3.2-mill police protection millage 54% to 46%, according to unofficial results, Supervisor Chuck Phyle said he respects the decision of voters. But he said the township will now have to evaluate the "financial and operational impact" on future police funding and available budget options.
"I will be requesting a prompt, fact-based review so the Board and residents have a clear understanding of the consequences, the available choices and the timeline for decisions," he said in a statement on Facebook early Wednesday morning. "No assumptions. No rhetoric. Just the facts, the options, the available choices, and the timeline for decisions."
In Orion Township, where Supervisor Chris Barnett encouraged voters to cast their ballots on Tuesday, calling it "an important day" for the community, two measures were also rejected. With 100% of precincts reporting, its police operating millage failed 59% to 41%.
"No more $$$," posted one voter, Karen Darby, on Facebook in response to Barnett's post. "Budget like the rest of us."
In Wayne County's Sumpter Township, voters also rejected a millage renewal for police services that also would've raised the millage rate from 3 mills to 5. With 100% of precincts reporting, the measure failed 57% to 43%, according to unofficial results.
"We have lost all millage funding, which has reduced our operating funds by over 40%," said the Sumpter Township Police Department in a post on Facebook early Wednesday morning. "As you can imagine, this is devastating to our ability to provide the level of police services that you, our residents, expect and deserve. In the coming days and weeks, the township Board will determine how to proceed."
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: 5 Metro Detroit communities say no to police, fire millages