Royal Oak Public Safety Millage Proposal A Information

Royal Oak Public Safety Millage Proposal A Information
(City of Royal Oak, Oct. 21, 2016)
Royal Oak, MI – Four years ago more than two-thirds of Royal Oak voters approved a five-year millage levy of up to 3.975 mills to support police, fire and emergency medical services. That millage enabled the city to increase its number of police officers and maintain firefighter staffing.
What is impact of Royal Oak’s public safety millage investment?
Historically, the police department operated with more than 100 police officers. In 2012, that number dropped to 66 after the city laid off 12 police officers. Since the approval of the public safety millage, the police department has been continually hiring new officers. The millage has provided the necessary funds to increase the number of sworn police officers from 66 to 79 and to maintain fire department staffing at 56.
In addition, the police department was reorganized. We have replaced officers on the front desk and in the property room with civilians so we can have more officers on the street. We obtained contract concessions in all the collective bargaining agreements which reduced the legacy costs associated with all new hires.
The millage funding allowed the fire department to continue to operate three fire stations and maintain a minimum of two ambulances staffed with advanced life support certified paramedics at all times. The continuation of emergency medical services was in doubt in 2012.
What does this mean to you?
Our crime rate is falling. Royal Oak was named to Neighborhood Scout’s ‘Top 100 Safest Cities in America’ list in 2016. Residential property values in Royal Oak have increased an average of 53 percent since 2012 according to Zillow.com
Why renew the millage now?
The city commission put the renewal of this millage on the November 2016 ballot – even though it does not expire for another year – in order to maximize the number of voters who will decide this issue. In 2012, a presidential election year, more than 32,000 Royal Oak voters decided this issue, in 2015, with no statewide or national races; less than 7,000 Royal Oak voters participated. We anticipate a similar turnout in 2017.
How much does this cost?
If approved by voters, the millage will continue to cost the average taxpayer $304 per year or 83 cents per day. You can see exactly how much it has cost you by looking at your December 2015 tax bill on the line labeled “Public Safety.” You can also find the details of your December tax bill at www.romi.com/taxes.
Where does this millage renewal appear on the ballot?
The renewal of the police, fire and emergency medical services millage will appear in the upper right corner of the back page of your ballot. The exact wording of the proposal is as follows:
CHARTER PROPOSAL
PROPOSAL A
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 8, SECTION 11 OF THE ROYAL OAK CITY CHARTER TO ALLOW FOR POLICE, FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE MILLAGE RENEWAL

The proposed amendment in Chapter 8, Section 11 of the Royal Oak City Charter, if approved would allow the City to renew the millage levy for a period not to exceed five (5) years of up to 3.975 mills, to defray the cost of police, fire and emergency medical services starting December 1, 2017.
The levy renewal, if approved, would defray the general expenses and liabilities of the City for police, fire and emergency medical services only and will allow Royal Oak to maintain core services and staffing levels,
Shall the proposal be adopted?
Where can I get more information?
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) independent study of the police and fire departments, the City of Royal Oak Recommended Budget, the police annual report, a tax estimator and more.
Please share this letter with other voters in your household, carefully consider the millage proposal, and vote on November 8.
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