Ingham Commissioners propose countywide millage

By Gretchen Millich, WKAR News

LANSING, MI – Ingham County commissioners have approved a .65 mill proposal to fund the sheriff's department. Supporters of the measure want to avoid budget cuts that would reduce the number of deputies who patrol roads in rural townships.

Commissioner Randy Schafer says the entire county would benefit from the millage, including those cities and townships that have their own police protection.

"Public safety is stretched to such a point, where people feel unsafe and don't get a response," Schafer says. "The state police have lost 104 people in recent budget cuts. And I think it's just one of the most important things government can do."

If approved by the full board and voters in November, the millage would raise about $4.9 million a year for five years.