Notices
budget posting-22.pdf
MILLAGE RENEWAL
More than 13 years ago, the voters of Mason and Porter Townships approved a special millage to support EMS and Fire protection services. During that 13+ years, the 2 mill dedicated millage has been renewed each time it was placed before the voters. This millage expires with the 2020 winter tax levy and is scheduled to be placed on the ballot in August of 2020 for renewal consideration.
The Southeast Public Safety Authority (SEPSA) Board recently voted to place the 2 mill renewal on the August ballot. This RENEWAL is NOT an increase in your tax levy, and will not overlap with the expiring mills for EMS and Fire.
Questions and Answers
Is this a new millage? NO, It is a renewal of the expired millage (2mill)
What is the total millage amount if the proposal passes? 2 mills
In everyday language, what does the SEPSA EMS and Fire Millage Proposal mean? The renewal asks voters to approve 2 mills for seven years on taxable property in Mason and Porter Townships to help fund the Fire Departments. If approved, the millage renewal would begin in 2021.
How much would this cost me per year? Take your home’s taxable value (from your tax bill or the township) divide by 1000 and then multiply by 2 mills [TV/1000x2=your cost]. For example, a house with a market value of $200,000 and a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $200 per year for EMS and Fire protection.
How long would the millage last? The most recently approved millage was for seven years, and expires at the end of 2020. The millage renewal as proposed for the ballot, would be in place from 2021-2027.
Why is dedicated funding needed? The amount of revenue generated by Townships Tax revenues are not able to fund Fire and EMS service.
Is additional funding needed? Authority Millage varies from year to year based upon the taxable value of the Townships. Historically, as the taxable value of the Township has increased, so has the revenue generated by the millage. Authority expenses continually rise due to increased costs of equipment, insurance and staff. SEPSA has effectively managed expenses to prevent increasing levy’s above current millage rates.
How much revenue would this millage generate? For 2021, with passage of the proposal, it is expected that the Millage would raise $658,498 for Fire and EMS coverage.
What is the money for? The revenue raised by the EMS and Fire Millage goes towards funding the Southeast Public Safety Authority’s Fire and EMS Department operations for Mason and Porter Townships. The millage covers a portion of the total cost of operations including replacement of Vehicles, Equipment, Insurance and Wages. For 2019, the millage funded approximately 76% of the Authority’s budget. The remaining funding for the EMS and Fire Department budget comes from run fees, donations, grants and other revenue sources.
Recent projects completed include replacing 2 tankers in 2009 (one purchased with FEMA grant), replacing a 1989 engine in 2010, replacing an ambulance in 2019, replacing 24 Air Packs in 2018 and purchase of compact Thermal Imaging cameras to enhance the safety of our crews.
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What services are provided to the public? The Authority provides coverage to the residents and businesses of the Porter and Mason Township 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year. In 2019, the Fire Department responded to 654 calls for service. The Fire Department coordinates and participates in a number of programs designed to protect and educate the community and our residents. Additionally members regularly attend training to add skills relevant to changing technologies and the challenging dynamic of Fire protection and EMS care.
The Authority’s budget is approved at an annual meeting in March.
Fire Department staff consists of: • 1 Part-Time Chief • 1 Part-Time Assistant Chief• 11 Part-Time Paramedics • 11 Part-Time EMT’s • 19 Paid-On-Call Firefighters
The Fire Department responds to fires, personal injury accidents, and emergency medical calls. Additionally, the Fire Department responds to Automatic Aid / Mutual Aid to our neighboring departments. All Township Firefighters must be trained to the State’s minimum standard of Firefighter I and II. The department provides 24 hour Emergency Medical Service and recently upgraded it’s level of service from Basic EMS to Paramedic level patient care.
The Fire Department also provides commercial fire inspections, commercial site and construction plan reviews, fire prevention and education, and attends community events. The Authority operates and maintains the Porter fire station.
What will the ballot proposal look like?
Authority
Renewal Proposal Southeast Public
Safety Authority Fire & EMS Millage
(This is a Renewal of millage which will expire with the 2020 tax levy)
Shall the limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on the amount of ad valorem taxes be levied on all taxable property within the territorial limits ofthe Southeast Public Safety Authority, (Mason Township, and Porter Township, in the County of Cass, State of Michigan), be increased (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2020 tax levy) by 2 mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) for 7 years, 2021-2027 inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for the purchase of equipment, and operation of Fire and EMS services by the Southeast Public Safety Authority? If approved and levied in its entirety, it is estimated that, in its first year, the 2 mills will raise $658,498 for the Southeast Public Safety Authority.
(This is a RENEWAL of millage which will expire with the 2020 tax levy).
Yes
No
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When and Where do I VOTE?
Tuesday August 4th polls open at 7am till 8pm.
Porter Township Hall & Porter Township Fire Station
Mason Township Hall