Sheriff boats on Lake Orion next summer, or not?
So far, no one knows.
After Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard announced he was axing routine Marine Division patrols from all county lakes’along with other big cuts’in order carve $13.3 million from next year’s budget, residents decided they’d better do something.
But the answers aren’t coming quick.
‘We’re waiting for the state to finalize the budget,? said Oakland County Commissioner Mike Gingell. ‘Until we have the numbers detailing how boat registration fees are allocated , we don’t know what our options are.?
Residents of the Lake Orion Lake Association have discussed contracting privately with the sheriff’s office to keep the patrols going.
But where the funds will come from, no one knows. The association says they’ve been waiting to hear back from Gingell.
Gingell, however, said while he believes the issue is important, there’s no easy remedy.
‘I’m familiar with the lake and affect a sheriff’s patrol boat has on the lake,? he said. ‘There’s lots of activity, and the sheer presence of a patrol boat can slow the pace of the lake and make people more careful.?
Orion Township Supervisor Matt Gibb said he’s also concerned about the future of patrols on the lake.
‘We’ve been talking about coming up with some kind of a three-way agreement for the short term,? he said, noting he hoped between the county, the township and the Village of Lake Orion, a solution could be worked out. ‘The challenge is Orion Township is already down $1.2 million in revenue from last year. We don’t have five cents to throw at it.?
Another issue, he noted, is finding someone to take charge of the problem and work to find answers where none are apparent.
‘It’s a vital service,? he said. ‘It’s going to finally take someone saying this is important, I’ll take the lead.?