Oxford Village’s police and dispatch budgets for the 2011-12 fiscal year, which begins July 1, are $633,909 and $282,954, respectively, for a total of $916,863.
The department is staffed by four full-time officers (including chief), six part-time officers, three full-time dispatchers and six part-time dispatchers.
Back in November 2010, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department submitted proposals to provide both services. The proposals ranged from $606,664 to $740,237 for four full-time deputies with or without a full-time detective sergeant. Dispatch services were included in those contract prices.
If the village chose to just receive dispatch services from the county, the cost would be $26,248 annually.
According to calculations provided by village Manager Joe Young, of the 10.62 mills in property taxes currently levied by the municipality to support its general fund, a total of 8.24 mills are used to fund local police and dispatch services. One mill is worth $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value.
Young noted that doesn’t preclude council from using any of the remaining 2.38 mills for these services if necessary.
In addition to the general operating millage, the police department also receives $60,000 in annual funding from the Downtown Development Authority plus $34,000 per year from the township fire department for fire/EMS dispatch services.