2010 Public Safety Millage FAQ
Why should I vote for the Public Safety Millage?
Renewing this Millage is a crucial for the community to make it through these tough times. One of the most important pieces to a strong community is having a Police Officer or Firefighter at your doorstep when you need them. We are currently in unpredictable times, and while nothing is guaranteed, passing this Millage is a step in the right direction to not to have your critical city services drastically cut.
In these tough times, I do not want new taxes or my taxes being raised.
This is not a new tax, this is a renewal of the Public Safety Millage that was passed by the voters 3 years ago. And with the Statewide and National reductions in home property values, in most cases your annual taxes will still be lowered with the Public Safety Millage Renewal passing.
Every other industry has faced reductions and cost cutting measures in one way or another.
This renewal directly affects your safety and the communities’ safety as a whole. Not to mention we already have had reductions and cost cutting measures. In a joint effort to not affect our service to the citizens, we are currently actively working with the City Manager to help the financial situation in the city without directly affecting the citizens’ level or service you expect and deserve.
What are those reductions and cost cutting measures?
We are currently in the process of combining our dispatch with 3 other communities, which reduces our daily staff and saves the city roughly $300,000 annually. Over the past 6 years we have reduced our department manpower 18% while our run volume has increased. Contractually, we have made reductions across the board in every area in an effort to lighten the burden to the city & its legacy costs.
I am not happy with how the previous Millage was handled.
Everyone 3 years ago had a different interpretation and expectations of what was to follow the Public Safety Millage passing. No matter what, everyone will not be 100% happy with how everything was handled; it is impossible to please every person. However we are satisfied because the Millage definitely worked by maintaining Advanced Life Support and Fire Services to the citizens.
If this Millage does not pass, what will happen?
Unfortunately we do not know at this point how bad your services will be affected. With the rough estimates that have been presented by City Officials, unfortunately your Police Protection and Fire/Advanced Life Support services will drastically change for the worse.
