Sumpter voters asked to approve police millage
Sumpter Township voters will decide on a Police Protection Millage renewal and increase proposal on the Aug. 4 ballot.
If approved, the ballot proposal would allow an increase of up to 5.00 mills which is $50 per $1,000 of taxable value which will be in effect from 2026 through 2029. The millage would be used to fund operations, maintenance, and protection at the Sumpter Township Police Department.
The millage would generate an estimated $2,428,884 during the first year. A 5-mill levy on property generates $500 in taxes per $100,000 of taxable value, which is usually about 50 percent of a property retail value. The estimate of a 5-mill levy will equal $1 of tax for every $1,000 of taxable value. For a 5-mill rate, multiply the taxable value by 0.005 (or multiply by 5 and divide by 1,000).
A Sumpter Township home with a $100,000 market value would have a taxable value of about $50,000, meaning a 5-mill levy would actually cost the taxpayer $250 per year to fund police protection in the community.
Exact ballot language before voters will read:
“Shall Sumpter Township impose an increase of up to 5 mills ($5.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) in the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan constitution and levy it for 4 years, 2026 through 2029 inclusive, for police protection, operations, and maintenance of the Sumpter Township police department, which 5 mills increase will raise an estimated $2,428,884 in the first year.”
Complete voter registration information and absentee ballot requests can be found on the Sumpter Township Clerk’s Office web page.
