Brandon Twp.- In the depths of the economic recession, the township board made cuts to many areas, including police staffing, going from 14 full-time deputies to 10 full-time deputies and one part-time position.
The board also ended their practice of funding most or all of the school liaison officer position, shifting that responsibility to the school district.
On Monday, with their financial fortunes improving, thanks in part to a 4.25 police millage passed by voters last August, as well as an increase in projected personal property tax revenue for 2016 attributed to the new Enbridge pipeline and pump station, the board unanimously approved replacing a part-time deputy position on the midnight shift with a full-time deputy. The board also agreed to pay the portion of the police liaison officer’s contract as a patrol officer for the township when school is not in session during the summer, as well as during professional development days, vacations, and breaks during the school year. However, the board declined an additional request by the school board to contribute 15 percent, or $14,173.23, toward the district’s cost of the police liaison officer.
‘I feel the school liaison officer position is very important,? said Trustee Dana DePalma, who was joined by Trustees Ron Lapp and Jayson Rumball, as well as Supervisor Kathy Thurman and Treasurer Terri Darnall in voting to deny the request (Clerk Candee Allen was the dissenting vote). ‘I would like to see the officer stay in place, but with the police fund balance, I don’t feel we can help with both requests that they came to us with. The one request, we’ve taken on an additional $40,000 this year to help the school. I know we have a new millage for police, but I want to do something for our residents besides the school, which is why I voted for a full-time midnight deputy rather than the half-time. That is an increase, too. I would love to do it all, but at this time, we can’t.?
Thurman said the police fund balance prior to last winter’s tax collection was $20,998. She expects the fund balance to be close to $230,000 at the end of 2015.
‘When we used to support the liaison position, we were levying under 3.5 mills and we were still bringing in more revenue at that time than we are now, which allowed us to pay for more officers,? she said. ‘I think the police millage should be spent on patrol and basic staffing. We want to be pragmatic on how we spend tax dollars that are for police services.?
The school district has suffered their own share of financial troubles during the recession and continues to struggle due to declining enrollment. The police liaison officer position has been on the chopping block over the last several years, but spared in each year’s final budget.
During a March 2 special study session, the school board again considered cutting the school liaison position and hiring instead a retired deputy. However, the board was split on the wisdom of such a decision and tabled the matter. A retired deputy does not have the power of a certified police officer, and the district would lose benefits including reserve officers at athletic events and dances.
‘By eliminating the school liaison officer, there would be no one in the school with any police authority, they will basically be a hall monitor,? said OCSO Sgt. Greg Glover. ‘I think with the concessions the township board has made, picking up additional days, I think the township board has done their fair share in stepping up and I am not surprised they declined to approve an additional 15 percent.?
In a letter to the township board from the school board dated April 24, it was noted that oin the 2014-15 school year, the district paid for 50 days of the liaison’s contract in which school was not in session. It is noted in the letter that the proposal from the township no longer has the district paying the unnecessary days, putting the district’s cost at $94,488.18 The township’s cost will be $40,919.82.
The school board formally requested the township board contribute ‘a humble 15 percent of the $94, 488.18 for a total of $14,173.23.? The letter concluded, ‘While this remains far below the partnership levels prior to the 2011-12 school year, we feel that is number is a fair request in these tough economic times.?
School Board President Kevin McClellan attended the township board’s meeting and prior to the vote, asked for support from the township, as the largest part of the district. He was joined at the meeting by School Board Treasurer Deb Brady, Secretary Diane Salter, and Superintendent Matt Outlaw.
‘For years we paid the total cost of the school liaison,? said Township Trustee Ron Lapp. ‘We recognize the importance of the right person in that position. Brandon (paid the cost), no other community.?
Lapp had noted earlier he was ‘tired of picking up Groveland Township expenses.?
Outlaw told the board the district is looking at asking the Groveland Township Board for a ‘proportional? contribution for the school liaison position. He did not immediately have numbers for how many Groveland Township residents are enrolled in the district, nor how much the district would request from the Groveland Township Board for a contribution to funding the police liaison position.
McClellan expressed frustration at the board’s decision to deny the requested 15 percent contribution, while approving funding for design and bidding services regarding parking lots at Fire Station #2 and Seymour Lake Cemetery (in the amount of $18,900).
‘It’s a matter of priorities, I’d rather have more money toward the police rather than repaving for a parking lot or a trail,? he said. ‘Any contribution they could have made would have been better than some of the things they decided to fund otherwise.?
McClellan expects the school board to vote on the school liaison officer position at the next school board meeting, set for 6:30 p.m., May 18, at ITEC, 609 S. Ortonville Road.
‘I really want to keep the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, it’s so much more bang for the buck,? he said. ‘No one on the board wants to give that up. We do recognize it’s the right thing to do, but it’s a lot of money, two teachers? worth of salary really. I think we should be able to find money in the budget. The position is needed and everyone who’s educated a little bit realizes it’s a big deal.?