Macomb Township Signs $9.7 Million Deal for Macomb County Sheriff Services

The Macomb Township Board of Trustees has agreed to spend $9,731,316 on Macomb County Sheriff services through Dec. 31, 2015.  

With no police department of its own, the township contracts its law enforcement services from the sheriff’s office. Supervisor Janet Dunn said the agreement is “by far and away a bargain" for the service the sheriff provides.

The cost averages to about $3.2 million a year, a slight increase from what the township paid for services in the past, which was approximately $3.1 million a year. The higher cost may be due to labor increases and other issues, Clerk Michael Koehs pointed out. 

If union labor negotiations should result in a smaller price tag, the amount will be credited to the township, according to the agreement. However, if wages, fringe benefits or other costs through collective bargaining or binding arbitration between unions and the county go up, the township will pay more. 

In November, voters approved the 1.0601 Renewal of Police Protection Millage, which is due to expire April 6, 2014. The millage was placed on the ballot to avoid a special election and continue uninterrupted police service. 

The Police Protection Millage was initially approved by the voters of Macomb Township in April of 1994 and renewed in 1999, 2004 and again this year.