Almont Village and Township struggle

Decision by Twp. could come at May 11 meeting

 

ALMONT — There is no question, everyone loves their local police department and the services rendered.

However, not everyone loves the method of funding for the township, when it comes to township coverage.

With standing room only, around 100 people crammed in to the Almont municipal hall for an unusual daytime meeting of the Almont Twp. board.

At issue is the amount of money the village has requested from the township, to provide what the village says is the township’s fair share of the costs of the police department.

A similar disagreement took place just a year ago when the village police budget increased and officials asked the township to pay an increase for services that ultimately settled at $200,000 more.

The township agreed to pay the village $650,000 last year, signing a one-year agreement.

Now, nearing the end of the contract, the two sides are right back where they started in 2025, hoping to get another agreement worked out.

This time, the village is asking for $800,000, down from the original asking price of $950,000.

“The first thing I want to clear up is the fact that the School Resource Officer (SRO) will not be going away, no mater what we decide,” Supervisor Gary Groesbeck told the crowd. “I think everyone agrees, that officer does a wonderful job with the schools and the kids and staff all love him. That is not the issue today.” Groesbeck also pointed out this is not a matter of the township being unhappy with the service provided by the police department. “It’s dollars and cents. That’s all it is,” he said.

According to Groesbeck, the issue began with an email in late January to him, from Village Manager Dale Kerbyson, requesting to begin having talks about working out a new contract.

“We met two months later, in March,” Groesbeck recalled. Township officials told their residents in attendance at the meeting, “with that new amount, your taxes WILL go up. Currently the township has a millage of 2.25. If the $800,000 is added in, the millage would increase to 3% and generate $822,000.

Having been given a proposal from the village, township officials also inquired with the Lapeer County Sheriff Department regarding possibly contracting with the county for police coverage.

“We have to look at all options, to do what we feel is the best financially for the township,” the Supervisor stated.
“$800,000 is a lot of money when according to what we have been given for a proposal, the County coverage would only cost us around $510,000.”

Regardless of which entity might be selected, township officials say they are going to maintain the 24/7 coverage they have had in recent years.

A large portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment time when a number of people shared their feelings and opinions on the SRO, police coverage and asked why the meeting was held at 9 a.m. Others spoke on both sides of the issue, being willing to see an increase in their taxes while others claimed they couldn’t afford additional taxation.

Jim Aleck, owner of A Small Town Bar in Almont told the board, “I am a resident in the township and own a business in the village. I can tell you, the numbers from the Sheriff Dept., they are false. If you get rid of Almont PD, there are no take backs. They will be gone. You will loose good officers. Quit puffing your chests out (both sides) and work together to get something done for the community. Quit playing games and spend the money.”

Several Almont Community Schools Administrative staff spoke, all in favor of retaining SRO Officer Retzler and thanking him for the positive relationships he has developed with many of the district’s students.

A number of guests suggested the board consider putting the matter to a vote and let taxpayers decide how to best fund police services.

Former Supervisor Paul Bowman told the board and crowd, “years ago when I was on the board, we came up with a formula that worked. It worked for years and that’s what got us through back then.”

Village council member Steve Schneider, Jr. told the board, “make a decision. It’s been five weeks with no meeting. Make us an offer. You’ve heard our number. Let’s work together and get this done. If you don’t like the amount, make us a counter offer. We have a negotiating partner that keeps moving the goal posts.”

Schneider said the $800,000 represents a 60/40 split of costs for coverage. The township has just under 10,000 residents while the village has around 2,700.

The board was encouraged to check in to the sheriff department offer of $510,000, to see what was included for coverage. Many believe the offers are not similar, nor would they provide the coverage Almont currently gives.

At the end of public comment, Supt. Groesbeck said, “we need to not be the township and village like it’s a competition. We need to be Almont. That’s who we are.” The comment drew applause from those in the crowd.

With the possibility of an extension not being offered as of last week, the board voted to reject the request of $800,000 to the village and agreed to go back to the negotiating table to see if a deal can be hammered out.

The police coverage contract is set to expire June 30. The next meeting for negotiating was set for Monday, May 11h at 7 p.m.