"The township has tried to manage these costs, last eliminating two positions from its sheriff’s contract in 2018, which helped to control some escalation, however, the last two years, the contract has shown considerable increases," according to the memo. In a memo to the Board of Trustees, Reed and Delta Township Finance Director Courtney Nicholls said the "main cost drivers are fringe benefits, primarily retirement costs through the (Municipal Employees Retirement System)." Delta has been struggling with the shortage since 2019. Several times, two of the township’s three fire stations have closed due to staffing issues. Reed said the proposed tax would generate $1.7 million a year to help cover expenses, which have been on the rise. A nation-wide shortage of firefighter paramedics is hampering the Delta Township Fire Department, leaving it eight people short. Officials: Rising costs prompted tax proposal Right now, the services are paid for from the township's general fund. The patrol staff assigned by Eaton County includes 33 employees, including a lieutenant, four sergeants, four detectives and 21 deputies.ĭelta Township operates its own fire department, Reed said. The township has been paying Eaton County to provide those services through a contract that's been in place since 1970, Delta Township Manager Brian Reed said. The first tax proposal, referred to as a "public safety millage" in online township records, would help pay for police, fire, and public safety operating expenses. Having a professional rate study is something every municipality does from time to time to make sure water and sewer rates are sustainable and affordable, Reed said.Here's what residents need to know about both of the proposed taxes: What would a 'public safety' tax pay? The last rate study was conducted in 2001. In a memo obtained by the Detroit Free Press, the automaker notified employees of Lansing Delta Township Assembly on Thursday that the. “I think it’s really beneficial to have this outside review to make sure our past practices were appropriate and to kind of gauge that and to also help give us direction going forward, so I think this is wise on behalf of the township to be doing this.” General Motors will idle its Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant for about three months total over the next year as it prepares the plant to build the GMC Acadia SUV. “I’m very pleased that we’re doing this,” said Delta Township Trustee Andrea Cascarilla. The rate study cost covers both water and sewer funds and will be conducted over the next six months, Reed said. “Our treatment plant has had an extended life and has been very well maintained, but I think it’s time to make the investment and build proper environmental conditions,” Kane said. Kane said township residents aren’t likely to notice any direct impact from the improvements, but plant workers will be able to better treat wastewater and protect the environment. “We are all outdoors people and want to make sure that the environment is well taken care of.” “A lot of us have made a career in this field to make sure that we are doing what’s right and to do our jobs and secure our fresh water bodies,” said Richard Kane, director of utilities at the wastewater treatment plant in Delta Township. The Delta Township Board will be contracting with Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors for the water and sewer study at a cost of $32,000, according to township documents. Rate studies help to make sure the township’s utility funds are generating enough revenue to cover operating costs, capital improvements and debt service, said Brian Reed, Delta Township’s manager. New wastewater facilities and renovations will likely take place in phases over the next five or six years and will not start until 2021. “We are doing this study so that we can see what we’re going to need going forward for this investment,” Delta Township Supervisor Ken Fletcher said.Ī new plant will be built to handle the growth of the township and the old facility will be torn down, Fletcher said. 21 approved a study of water and sewer rates, one of several steps as officials plan for maintenance and upgrades. Spartan Newsroom - News and information from student journalists at the Michigan State University School of Journalismĭelta Township is planning ahead to prepare for future improvements to its 40-year-old wastewater treatment plant.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |