Franklin Village's 12-officer police department could see its dedicated funding jump from roughly $180,000 a year to $1.68 million if voters approve a new millage on Tuesday, August 4.
The ballot question asks residents to replace the village's existing police services levy, currently at 0.37 mills, with a new five-year tax of up to 3.4 mills beginning in 2027. For a homeowner with a taxable value of $100,000, that means paying up to $340 a year toward police services instead of the current $37.
The Franklin Village Council voted unanimously on April 22 to place the measure on the ballot.
Why the increase
Police Chief Curt Lawson, who also serves on the Franklin PD Millage Committee, pointed to the village's shrinking general fund as the driving force. The police fund balance sits at $0, according to C&G Newspapers, even as the department's annual budget runs $2.8 million.
"For several years, expenditures have outpaced revenues in the village, and as a result, our fund balance within the village has declined to a level that the village can't sustain us much longer," Lawson said at a June 29 public meeting.
The general fund budget is $875,450, excluding the $1.36 million already transferred annually to the police fund. Village Administrator Rachel Loughrin said the new rate would fully fund the department through its own dedicated millage and account for future Headlee Amendment and Proposal A reductions that will shrink the rate over the five-year term.
What the money covers
Revenue from the levy would support police operations and personnel costs, recruitment and training, vehicles and equipment, technology and communications, building improvements, and unfunded pension and retiree benefit obligations, according to The Oakland Press.
The Franklin-Bingham Farms Police Department employs 12 full-time officers: one chief, one lieutenant, two sergeants, and eight officers. The department also has three part-time clerks, a social media coordinator, and three reserve officers.
Who votes
Only Franklin Village residents will see this question on their ballots. Bingham Farms residents, whose community is served by the same department, are not included because Bingham Farms operates under a separate interlocal agreement.
Village Administrator Loughrin noted that no public opposition to the millage has been recorded at village meetings.
The village is holding a Police Millage Town Hall on Tuesday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 32325 Franklin Rd.
How to vote
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4. Voters can also cast ballots in person before Election Day; early voting locations and times are available through the Oakland County Clerk's website.
What else is on the Aug. 4 ballot
As we reported July 27, Bloomfield Township has $14.9 million in millage renewals on the same ballot, and Bloomfield Hills voters face separate questions as well.
