Oshtemo Township officials said October 13 that a board committee is exploring police service options and that no decision has been made.
The township contracts with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office for police service. During the budget discussion, board members said the board’s police committee is exploring options, including whether the township could form its own department. They said the committee will bring a recommendation to the full board when it has one. Officials described the work as exploratory.
The contract
Board members said the Sheriff’s Office has offered the township a one-year extension.
How it connects to the 2027 budget
The draft 2027 budget keeps the police SAD rates at their current levels and balancing the police budget will use fund balance. It was stated that use of fund balance over the past few years reflects an expanded contract. Board members said they were comfortable with that approach for 2027. They said they would look at rates again as the police committee’s work moves forward, and that the conversation would continue next year.
What’s next
The board plans to hold public hearings on the SAD rates at its October 27 meeting. The budget hearing is planned for November 10. Residents can comment at either meeting.
