Goodrich-The village council rejected an Atlas Township request for additional police funding and the establishment of a Police Authority Board at Monday’s council meeting.
‘We’re not discounting the need for police protection,? said Ed York, village council president. ‘Basically what we’re saying is that the residents’all of them’should have the say-so in how (the funding) is handled? whether it’s through a millage or a special assessment… we’re not taking a position on that.?
The council’s actions stem from township officials reported shortage of funds to pay for police protection in Atlas Township and Goodrich.
The township established a contract with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department about 10 years ago funded by one mill from area property owners. A property owner with a $200,000 home currently pays about $100 per year for police service.
Since that time, costs have continued to go up at a rate of about 6 percent per year, say township officials. Currently the township pays $394,000 per year for four deputies in the township.
Funds set aside to cover those costs have been depleted, leaving the township to draw from the general fund to pay the bill which, at current costs, will only last about five years, said Paul Amman, Atlas Township supervisor.
After entering into closed session, the village meeting reopened with a motion directing village attorney Tom McKenny to respond to a letter from Amman requesting the formation of the P.A.B.
The response was directed by the council to reflect their position that no agreement currently exists between the village and the township regarding such a board. For that reason, council members denied appointments and funding.
The board ‘comprised of two representatives from the township, two from the village and an area resident? would address the issue of the shortfall.
A similar police board was dissolved April 12, 2001.
The council’s decision came after months of silence regarding the request.
Amman’s letter, dated Jan.18, came too late for the council to address in their Jan.9 meeting. The issue was put on the backburner in a Feb.13 meeting, with York citing the absence of two council members as reason for the delay.
Meanwhile, in a Feb.14 meeting of the Goodrich/Atlas Chamber of Commerce, Amman addressed the crowd with confidence about the authority board’s formation. Amman focused much of his speech around what action the board would take once established instead of whether or not such a board would be created at all.
York said the response is in no way meant to be dismissive of the township or the police. Rather, said York, it expresses the council’s concern for establishing a P.A.B without first entering into an agreement with the township and establishing clear guidelines.
Amman declined to comment, stating that as of deadline on March 15 he had not yet been officially notified of the council’s decision.