Oshtemo Township’s board discussed two potential funding changes this week: restoring the police millage closer to its pre-2023 level and creating a new, dedicated millage to fund parks.
Why it’s on the table
Township staff told the board that state revenue sharing is projected to continue declining, and that operating millages are one of the few funding levers the township has direct control over. With that backdrop, board members revisited a decision from several years ago to reduce the police millage, discussing whether to bring it back closer to where it stood before that reduction took effect in tax year 2023. No specific new rate was proposed or voted on. Staff agreed to prepare updated figures showing the financial impact of returning to the earlier rate, for discussion at a future board meeting.
A separate conversation: funding parks directly
Board members also raised the idea of a new, standalone millage dedicated specifically to park operations, rather than continuing to draw park funding from the township’s general fund. Staff noted that fully funding park operations on its own, without any general fund support, would require a significant new millage. Board members emphasized that parks are heavily used and want to avoid indefinitely delaying a funding decision, but acknowledged that creating a new millage would likely require voter approval on a future ballot. The board’s attorney is expected to advise on that process, and the topic is planned to return at a future meeting.
Also discussed: a possible future “hub” project
Board members touched on a longer-term concept for a township “hub”, potentially including park space, parking, and a gathering area, but said the project isn’t yet developed enough to determine which departments or funding sources would be involved. No commitments or cost estimates were made.
No millage changes were adopted at this meeting. Both the police millage and a potential parks millage are expected to return for further board discussion, with additional information from staff and legal counsel, at a future meeting.
