Almont Twp. counters offer to village

Two sides closing in on deal for police coverage

 

ALMONT TWP. — The Almont Twp. board has had their share of meetings over the past few weeks, as they continue to work to try and come to an agreement with the Village for police coverage in the township.

The two sides were far apart when talks began earlier this year. The Village sought more than $900,000 at one point while the township had considered a proposal from the Lapeer County Sheriff Department of $510,000 if they could not come to an agreement with the village.

The two sides have traded proposals amidst contentious meetings including one in late April that filled the Almont municipal building with standing room only left.

Countless township residents voiced their concern over the two sides’ inability to come to an agreement and encouraged the boards to keep the coverage provided by the Almont Police Department. A few people felt the township board should explore the possiblity of having a deputy in the township.

Also at issue has been the position of School Resource Officer, a topic that had the attention and concern of parents and administrators alike.

Monday evening, the township board met in special session with the only agenda item being the police contract. After drawing huge crowds to several of their most recent meetings, only a handful of spectators were in the crowd this week.

Prior to the meeting, Village Manager Dale Kerbyson told the Tri-City Times, “We have exchanged offers. The township offered $720,000 and the village’s counter, and final offer, was $750,000. That is 49% of the proposed police budget.”

Supervisor Gary Grosbeck told those in attendance the board was considering countering the offer one more time, offering $735,000 and a 3% increase each year of a potential three-year contract.

“We’ve been negotiating with the village for months and we are now at $720,000 for three years,” Grossbeck explained. “They are at $750,000 and that is their final offer. What is the board’s wishes?”

Trustee Mike Chriss spoke about hoping the two sides could come to agreement on fundamental items such as an agreement that is “fair and equitable for both sides, giving us updates on the department and a quarterly review of the department’s financials and a willingness to work together, to collaborate in finding grants or other revenue sources.”

After his opening statement and an explanation that general funds cannot be used to make up the difference in funding, Chriss read a prepared motion saying the motion was to offer $735,000 the first year with a 3% increase in each year thereafter for the second and third year. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.

The village was scheduled to meet Tuesday evening to further discuss the matter and possibly, make a decision.

Grossbeck said the current police department millage is 2.25 mills. If the offer is accepted, the rate would need to increase to 2.7 or 2.75.

“If the millage rate is 2.70 we would generate around $740,057” Grossbeck said after the meeting. “If it was 2.75, we would take in about $753,761.”

The current contract for police coverage in the township is set to expire at the end of June.

Please see related story on last week’s township meeting by Tom Wearing on Page 3.