Franklin

Millage increase meeting outlines proposals

By Tiffany Esshaki
C & G Staff Writer

What was supposed to be an informational community forum for an upcoming special election seemed more like a pep rally for a proposed millage increase for the Fire Department, and a general fund tax increase that would support the Police Department. Residents packed the Franklin Community Church Feb. 8 to hear the Village Council and officials explain why they believe the increases are necessary.

According to Village Administrator Amy Sullivan, an unprecedented drop in taxable values has made it difficult to fund core municipal services. For several years, the village has been dipping into its rainy day fund, which is generally reserved for unforeseen expenditures, like in the event of a natural disaster. In 2006, the village had $624,000 in its reserves, and it’s been steadily dropping since. Sullivan said the rainy day fund is projected to be $291,000 in 2012.

The fire millage increase would restore the maximum tax rate back to its original level established in the village charter, and the special services millage would provide a four-year increase for police services while replenishing the rainy day fund. The village is asking voters to approve a 0.5414-mill increase for the fire millage and a 0.4-mill increase for the special services millage for four years.

Residents voted down a similar measure back in September, when the village combined police and fire increases into one 1.3155-mill proposal. According to minutes from an Aug. 23, 2011, council meeting, residents were displeased with the fact that they were unable to vote on police and fire millages separately.

Police Chief Patrick Browne explained to the crowd that if the general fund millage is not approved, his only course of action would be to eliminate an officer. He added that in doing that, the village would be patrolled by only one officer about 30 percent of the time.

Fire Chief Tony Averbuch told residents that the fire department would be hit especially hard without the increase in the fire millage, since the village shares services with Bingham Farms, which contributes equally to pay for services.

“To lose money from Franklin means we would lose money from Bingham Farms. In the September election, we had a 6 percent budget reduction from Franklin. Then take away 6 percent from Bingham Farms, that’s about a 13 percent cut. To lose that money means we have to make some serious choices.”

Averbuch suggested that without the increase, the village may have to hold special elections to pay for necessary fire equipment maintenance, like new trucks.

After the brief presentation, the panel offered to answer any questions from the crowd. One by one, residents stepped to the microphone to share their support of the measures.

“I moved here because of the safety and services that the village office, the Police Department, and the Fire Department offer. We wouldn’t live anywhere else, and it is imperative that the people vote and they vote yes for both of these millages,” said Franklin homeowner Eileen Harryvan. “I’m hoping that our property values will go up, but I’m certain they won’t if we can’t preserve the safety and security of this village. It’s that simple. It’s all numbers.”

As to why these ballot proposals seem to have more support than the one that 61 percent of voters turned down back in September, Village Council President Jim Kochensparger said the new measures were designed with residents’ concerns in mind.

“I would say that we’re getting more momentum because we’ve listened to what the people have said, made some modifications, we put a limit of four years on the general service and police millage, and I think people now realize that the consequences are if they don’t vote yes for it.”

Kochensparger said that in addition to the four-year limit on one of the millages, the two proposals have been separated. Treasurer Tom Morrow added that the combined cost of the millages is 0.2-mills less than what the previous measure asked.

Mark Hanke is an 11-year resident of the village and owner of Farmhouse Coffee and Ice Cream on Franklin Road in downtown Franklin. He said he trusts the council and plans to vote yes on both proposals.

“I’ve seen how well-run this city is, how efficient they are. I don’t have any doubt they’re doing everything humanly possible to lower costs,” said Hanke. “It’s obvious that with the tax base decreasing and costs increasing, we have to do something prudent.”

The special election will be held Feb. 28, the same day as the Michigan Republican presidential primary. Sullivan told residents that even if they didn’t plan to vote in the primary, they could be granted a village-only ballot to vote on the millage increase. Though Kochensparger said he’s not sure whether the increase will be approved, he hopes all residents are informed on the issue.

“I don’t want to speculate, but I would like to hope that everyone in town is going to vote for this because we need the money,” he said. “If they don’t, we’ll just have to deal with the consequences and pick up the pieces.”

For more information on the village special election, visit www.Franklin.mi.us or call the city clerk at (248) 626-9666.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Tiffany Esshaki at tesshaki@candgnews.com or at ( ) - .