HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2005.01.27 - 27854MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #05015
BY: Commissioner Jeff Potter, Dist. 48 and David Coulter, Dist. #25
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - COST RECOVERY FOR STATE POLICE
SERVICES PROVIDED TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS the Michigan State Police have historically provided local
uniformed police services to rural Michigan communities hosting State
Police posts; and
WHEREAS this historical relationship has grown to the present day to
include populous, highly successful suburban communities with urban-
style characteristics and densities and with complex and varied
policing needs; and
WHEREAS many of these communities enjoy large tax bases, equal to or
exceeding those of other communities in our region and our State that
pay for their own uniformed police protection; and
WHEREAS the cost of these state subsidized services is borne by all of
the taxpayers in our State, including communities which support their
own local police services, either through police departments, sheriff
patrols or contractual relationships paid through local taxes; and
WHEREAS many of the communities who provide this police subsidy to
their neighbors are struggling with rising police costs, eliminating
police positions, or need to expand facilities in growing areas of
their own; and
WHEREAS the cost to state taxpayers for these state police services,
provided at no charge to select communities is estimated to be in the
millions of dollars; and
WHEREAS Oakland County communities struggle with declining resources
and revenue sharing, and will surely endure service cuts and other
financial exactions while this subsidy is being provided by the State
for a select few; and
WHEREAS subsidized police service is especially unfair and troublesome
to older or less-advantaged communities, and may contribute to
duplication of infrastructure, accelerated population shift, and
reduced funds to support law enforcement and quality of life in
established cities, villages and townships that pay for their own
police protection; and
WHEREAS Oakland County is otherwise a responsible partner and net
contributor to the well-being of our State; and
WHEREAS the Governor and Legislature have signaled a dire budget crisis
in the current and future fiscal years, and have committed to cooperate
on budget cuts and structural realignment of services, to overcome this
challenge.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners recommends that the Governor and Legislature seek to
progressively and permanently eliminate state subsidized local police
services by the Michigan State Police to municipalities, except in such
cases where compelling economic necessities may warrant consideration,
with action to begin in the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to
Governor Jennifer Granholm, and members of the State House and Senate
from Oakland County.
Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
Comm. David Coulter, District #25 Comnik f tter, District #8
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Resolution #05015 January 27, 2005
Moved by Potter supported by Coulter the resolution be referred to the General Government Committee,
The Chairperson stated there being no objections, so ordered.