Atlas Twp- Plans for a special assessment to cover police costs moved forward this week.
At Monday’s township board meeting, supervisor Paul Amman said a special assessment will properly address a shortfall that has left the township paying for police protection from the general fund.
Amman said he does not anticipate having any further public hearings regarding the assessment, so long as the township has fulfilled all legal obligations.
Township residents with questions or concerns about the assessment, said Amman, are encouraged to contact him at the township hall, 7386 Gale Road.
The board voted unanimously to proceed with an assessment of $50 per each improved parcel, $25 for each unimproved parcel.
The assessment will continue for a period of four years, and will be reviewed at the end of that time.
Before the board could proceed with an assessment they were required to have two public hearings no less than 30 days apart to allow constituents to voice their opinions. The first of these hearings took place Aug. 21, with the second occurring at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18.
The township established a contract with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department about 10 years ago, funded by one mill from area property owners. Since then, the cost has continued to go up at a rate of about 6 percent per year. Currently the township pays $394,000 per year for four deputies in the township. A property owner with a $200,000 home currently pays about $100 per year for police service.
Funds set aside to cover those costs have been depleted, leaving the township to draw from the general fund to pay the bill, which, at current costs, will only last about five years, Amman told The Citizen in January.
A special assessment can be implemented by the board without public approval, as opposed to a millage, which would be left in the hands of voters.