Sheriff issues “call to action” for continuing Public Safety and Mental Health millage

By Marsha Chartrand

In 2020, Washtenaw County voters passed a Public Safety and Mental Health millage that provided much-needed funding for mental health services and also augmented the contract police funding model that is utilized in out-county areas, including a collaboration between the City of Manchester and Lodi Township.

Currently, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners is considering whether to put this millage up for renewal in November 2024, to cut it up, or change the wording. This would obviously affect the situation of policing in western Washtenaw County, where the Lodi/Manchester collaboration provides the only full-time police contracts. Other out-county townships, including Bridgewater, Freedom, Manchester, and Sharon townships, are forced to rely solely on State Police located in Brighton, sporadic services available from the collaboration, or other nearby contract areas such as Scio Township.

“It is vitally important that those who have partnered with the WCSO or support the work we have done to improve people’s lives and make our community stronger have their voices heard,” said Sheriff Jerry Clayton. “This millage when passed solved two related crises in our county, the unsustainable contract policing funding model, while providing funding for the much-needed increase in mental health services. The passage of the millage by about 2/3 of the voters was celebrated across the county.”

Clayton explained that “a small minority of those in our county do not understand the value that the millage brings, are unaware of the programs that have been implemented or the progress that has been made. If the millage is not put on the ballot this fall for a vote or does not pass a vote of the people, community wellness and safety in Washtenaw County will be devastated. The county would be forced to choose between a huge blow to its budget or leaving many of our county residents without the necessary police services or protection.”

Clayton also suggested that interested citizens attend in person or by Zoom the upcoming April 3 working session meeting, the April 17 Public Hearing, and the May 1 BOC meeting to hear a first reading of the millage language and express support during public comment. Citizens may also write the BOC a letter indicating their support and indicating the expectation that they will make the right public policy decision and fully support the Public Safety and Mental Health millage.

“Make your voice heard now,” Clayton concluded, “so the WCSO and CMH can continue the progress we have made and keep moving our county forward. Please contact me if you have any questions or want detailed information that you can include in your written communication to the BOC via email claytonj@washtenaw.org or directly at (734) 395-7893.”

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.