ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” story. It is an editorial by the editor.
It was troubling to acknowledge recently that the City of Wayland has the highest total local millage rate among cities in the county, a little over 43 mills, higher than Allegan Holland, Plainwell and Otsego.
Of course, this leads the curious to attempt to determine why. I stumbled on a possible explanation not long ago — spending on the police department.
The good folks at City Hall were gracious enough to provide me with the information when I asked for how much was spent in this fiscal year’s budget on police, compared to the numbers of five years ago, the 2012-13 budget. I learned that $683,795 was spent five years ago and this year the figure had increased by almost 
$200,000, or $876,954.
I am certain that expenses for local police went up by more than the rate of inflation. The costs rose by 28.2 percent, which is better than 5 1/2% per year.
I also discovered information about personnel that the police department not long ago had one chief, four full-time officers, three part-time officers, five reserve officers, a secretary and some admittedly outdated vehicles.
Today the Wayland PD includes a chief, a lieutenant, five full-time officers, six reserve officers, a secretary and three almost new Chevy Tahoe SUVs.
Some local citizens have approached me to ask if Wayland is overpoliced. The city does have a the State Police post, though it covers a rather large geographical area. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Department also provides some coverage when necessary.
Some have insisted to me that Wayland could get by with no local department or at least a scaled-down service.
Their argument:
• They have pointed out to me that Dorr and Leighton Townships, two of the most populated jurisdictions in Allegan County, are handled by two deputies from the Sheriff’s Department.
• They have noted the Village Hopkins, which once had a police chief and later one officer, now has abandoned local police and depends on the Sheriff’s Department as well.
• The Village of Martin in bygone days had a husband and wife police team, but that has since been abandoned.
• With State Police right in town and the possibility of sheritf’s coverage, they say, only a very minimum force within city limits is necessary.
• Most of all, they say, “Think of the money we’ll save.”
I don’t really know how to respond except that perhaps the City Manager, Finance Director and City Council should have a serious discussion about how much police service is needed in Wayland.
The worst part about this, is that the only time I see Wayland PD not parked in front of the station is when the lieutenant is pulling into McDonald’s in the morning to meet some folks for coffee, which is fine. I see the County Deputies cars out and about watching for speeders more than the city of Waylan’s cars, by tenfold. Somebody should check and see how much Wayland, Dorr and Leighton Townships pay for the Sheriff’s contracted services.
I bet we could have two deputies 24/7 for less than half what our PD costs us now. Geez what could we do with the other $400k?
With harper running for the hills to zeeland and overpaid part-time rookus, would be a great opportunity to examin contracting with the sheriffs office like they are doing in Saugatuck. Harper was on the chopping block before the manager left, their officers need some serious supervision and our city tax payers can save 3-4 hundred thousand dollars.
Since the Chief of Police was hired, the City Council has been very gracious (in my opinion overly generous) in granting his requests for additional personnel, new vehicles, and new weapons (pistols, shotguns and rifles).
I can remember when Chief Miller used to beg for a new vehicle with most of his fleet with excess of 200,000 miles each and in poor shape and asking for an additional person because an officer was on extended medical leave. For his efforts, he was railroaded out of town on BS charges and his reputation soiled through the process of getting fired.
It is time the city looked at dismantling the local police department and letting Allegan County police take over the duties. I see more county cars on the local roads than I do Wayland police anyhow. I’m sure the savings would be substantial.
so true, let allegan sheriff take over like they are in saugatuck…money saving galore and accountability for the officers that sit at the pd all day!
“Most of all, they say, “Think of the money we’ll save” statement in the article is only true if the City Council doesn’t blow it on other things not needed. But I’m sure “park lady” on the council and “they” in City Hall giving land away at fire sale prices will find ways to squander it.
The City Council, Mayor, and City Manager needs to get their fiduciary responsibility handcuffs on and become responsible adults with taxpayer revenue. The excessive funding of the police department is a glowing example. Why does a police department of Wayland’s size need Tahoes? I could understand maybe one SUV vehicle, but three?
I am constantly amazed at the actions and ideas of the City Council in regards to spending money. But when it is not their own, I guess it is spend, spend, spend, and spend some more. Government – a force for good or evil. In Wayland’s case, it is bending towards evil. Use the money for what is it for – maintaining/repaving city roads, infrastructure (water, sewer, fire protection) and other public needs.