Gaines Township police millage defeated, Atlas Township voters approve public safety millages
Updated 10:40 PM;
Facebook Share
GENESEE COUNTY, MI More than 67 percent of voters chose “no” when asked if they’d like to approve an operations millage to keep the Gaines Township Police Department afloat during the May 4 special election Tuesday.
The department, which only has one officer, is likely to be shut down by the township since the 0.89-mill ($0.89 per $1,000 of taxable value) didn’t pass, Chief Mark Schmitzer said.
The levy would have secured approximately $179,000 per year for the department over a five-year period, per the ballot proposal. The millage received 594 votes in favor and 1,223 votes against, according to unofficial results.
7 takeaways from the May 4 special election in Genesee County
Updated 10:59 AM;
Facebook Share
GENESEE COUNTY, MI Voters in Genesee County weighed in on multiple tax proposals during Tuesday’s special election.
Notable millage renewals included an MTA millage renewal for public transportation, a Flint public safety millage that funds police and fire in the city and a new millage dedicated to community mental health services through Genesee Health System.
Just one millage from Gaines Township that would support public safety failed to pass. It may cause the township to shut down its police department.
Here’s what you need to know about the results:
  Gaines Twp. â Gaines Township voters have pulled the plug on the township police department.
  The small, rural department had been on life support since funding dried up March 31, the end of the previous fiscal year. The only hope of survival was the request for 0.89 mils, which failed by a vote of 1,223 to 594 with just less than a third of the 5,558 registered voters casting ballots in Tuesdayâs election.
  âEverything went down here,â said Treasurer Diane Hyrman. âThe 911 millage (and) mental health (millage) was voted down in our township. At least we got protection from mosquitos. But we wonât have any police in our township.â
Here’s what’s on the May 4 election ballot in Genesee County
Updated Apr 30, 2021;
Posted Apr 30, 2021
A lone Flint resident votes on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 at Mott Community College in Flint. (Jake May | MLive.com)Jake May | Mlive.com
Facebook Share
FLINT, MI Voters in Genesee County will have a range of tax proposals to decide on for Tuesday’s special election.
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday May 4. Voters can visit here to find their polling place and sample ballot.
Some of the requests on the ballot include a millage renewal for public transportation, public safety, a new millage to address community mental health and more.
Future of Gaines Township Police Department hinges on outcome of May 4 election, officials say
Updated Apr 28, 2021;
Facebook Share
GAINES TOWNSHIP, MI The Gaines Township Police Department could be shut down for good if township residents don’t pass a tax proposal on the May ballot, officials say.
A 0.89-mill ($0.89 per $1,000 of taxable value) levying about $179,000 per year for a five-year period for the Gaines Township Police Department will be on the May 4 ballot for township voters.
If the millage does not pass, township police Chief Chief Mark Schmitzer said it is likely the township will shut down the department entirely.