Town Halls will focus on Romulus fire and police millage proposal

ROMULUS – A series of town halls have been scheduled to provide information to voters about a millage proposal to support services in the Romulus Fire and Police
Departments.
A vote on a 4-mill levy over five years will be part of the Nov. 6, general election ballot. The proposal would provide necessary funding to maintain the current level of fire and police services in the community while avoiding cuts in essential services.
Five informational town halls were scheduled, starting at 6 p.m. All five meetings are open to the public.
Two town halls already have been held, one at Romulus High School and one at Halecreek Elementary School.
Upcoming town halls have been set for:
• Sept. 19 at Barth Elementary School, 38207 Barth Street;
• Oct. 3 at Wick Elementary School, 36900 Wick Road; and
• Oct. 24 at Romulus Elementary School, 32200 Beverly Road.
Additional informational meetings will be planned. Those interested in hosting an informational meeting can call the Mayor’s Office at (734) 942-7571.
The City Council voted unanimously June 11 to place a proposed charter amendment on the ballot. Funds would be utilized strictly for fire and police services.
City officials said fire and police services make up more than two-thirds of the city’s general fund budget. Romulus Mayor LeRoy D. Burcroff said public safety is a vital service that government provides. Failure to approve the millage increase would lead to cuts in funding for fire, police and other essential services.
Officials said history has led to the current financial situation. When Romulus incorporated as a city in 1970, the City Charter called for 10 mills to fund local government in what was largely then a farming community. When the full-time Police Department was formed in 1981, there was no increase in the millage rate. When the full-time Fire Department was formed in 1999, again, there was no increase in the millage rate.
While the number of city employees, firefighters and police officers has decreased, the demands on first responders have significantly increased.