City Council hosting open house on County’s upcoming mental health/public safety millage decision

by Sara Swanson

As we’ve previously reported, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners is considering whether or not to put the Mental Health & Public Safety Millage passed in 2020 up for renewal and if so, whether to separate out the public safety components from the mental health components on the ballot. 

This is particularly of interest to Manchester area residents as if the public safety components of the millage were to be separated out from the popular mental health components of the millage, the public safety portion may not pass. If the public safety millage is not renewed, the cost for municipalities contracting with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) for police coverage would increase by necessity, possibly to a level it would no longer be feasible to do. 

Although in the Manchester area, only the City of Manchester contracts with WCSO for coverage, surrounding townships benefit by having a deputy in the area who can respond in the case of a life-threatening emergency. If the City ceased contracting with WCSO, the nearest deputy would have to drive in from Scio or even further away. 

Manchester’s City Council will be hosting an open house on this topic on Monday, June 3 at 6pm at City Hall located at 912 City Road, in the City Council Chambers on the lower level. Manchester’s County Commissioner, Shannon Beeman will be present along with representatives from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department. 

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.