Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton said he will not relish the “daunting task” of deploying 10 fewer deputies in Ypsilanti Township come Jan. 1.
Speaking to Township officials at last Tuesday’s regular meeting, Clayton said he would like to schedule community forums in the near future and speak directly to residents.
He said it’s important residents don’t have “false expectations” with the changed level of service.
“A big issue for us is going to be aligning the residents expectations with our ability to provide service,” Clayton said.
Township officials voted on its 2010 budget Tuesday, which calls for the reduction of 10 deputies – leaving the municipality with 28 deputies covering the region.
A four-year, $2 million tax levy, which was defeated in the election earlier this month, was expected to maintain 38 deputies, generating approximately $3,230,770 in the first year.
The measure was voted down by a 169-vote margin, with 51 percent of the ballots voting against.
Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Commander Dieter Heren said preliminary work on a new deployment plan for the 28 deputies has begun.
By compiling historical data on calls for service over the past 12 months, Heren estimates the number of calls for service each deputy is responsible for to nearly double.
Although the millage proposal failed, Clayton urged the Township to consider another millage proposal for the following year.
However, Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo said that will be up to the Ypsilanti Township residents.
“I think it would have to come from the people as opposed to come from this board,” Stumbo said Tuesday evening. “There’s a lot of theories on why the millage didn’t pass and I agree with some of them but you really don’t know.
‘It was a very close millage and I think if the people want it to come back I think they’ll express that,” she said.
In the meantime, Stumbo said she is looking to the county to see if it can share some of the burden and help the municipality retain some deputies.
Law enforcement wasn’t the only fund that saw its numbers drop. The municipality shaved its budget by nearly $3 million as it continues to struggle with declining revenue.
Significant general fund expenditure changes also include staff reductions across the board as well as wage changes and other concessions negotiated with local unions.
The Township and Sheriff’s Office have yet to schedule community forums regarding reductions in deputy staffing.
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