The Dorr Township Board Thursday night decided to place a half mill increase request for the Fire Department on the Aug. 4 primary election ballot.
The move followed a written request by citizen Courtney Cardosa, who argued that the department already is covered by a millage and doesn’t need more funding.
Indeed, the department now operates on a millage of 0.24689, rolled back by the Headlee Amendment. The request is for a levy of 0.4689 mill, a rollback of a half mill, to replace the current figure.
Fire Chief Gary Fordham said the reason for the request for a half mill has a lot to do with fire departments’ having to do so much more these days.
“Fire departments have taken over (ambulance ) EMT responsibilities,” Fordham said. ”So the whole dynamic of the Dorr Township Fire Department has changed.
Indeed, the chief every month presents a report to the Township Board that shows the department is busier than ever, mostly because of taking on duties of emergency medical technicians. Adding to the problems are increasing costs for equipment.
“This has been a huge strain on our budget,” the chief said. “These first responders are doing this while also having full-time jobs.”
Another challenge for fire departments, according to Township Trustee Pat Champion, is that as of Jan. 1, the gasoline sales tax will be eliminated in Michigan, once again lessening the revenue for public entities to provide services.
The Township Board’s vote to seek the half mill was approved 6-0.
