Vote August 7!
On Tuesday, August 7, Wyoming residents will see a ballot request to renew the dedicated public safety millage. The specific question asks voters to provide a permanent renewal of the annual levy of 1.25 mills for public safety, specifically for the operation, maintenance and administration of police and fire services in the City of Wyoming. For a homeowner with a $100,000 house, the cost will remain at $62.50 per year.
This millage was first passed by voters in 2010. At that time the City faced declining state funding, the loss of the General Motors Stamping Plant and falling property values. These three issues meant that less revenue was going into the City’s general fund. As police and fire account for nearly 65% of all spending from the general fund, additional support was needed to prevent elimination and cuts to services.
While home values have started to increase, the City’s revenue status remains largely the same. The new public safety service delivery model has created many efficiencies and cost-savings; however, funding is still needed to maintain police and fire operations.
What does the millage fund?
Since the public safety millage approval in 2010, Wyoming Police Services have:
- Achieved and maintained Gold-Standard CALEA police accreditation, putting the department in the top one percent of law enforcement agencies nationwide
- Implemented efforts to visit every school in Wyoming each school day, totaling 5,738 school visits last year
- Equipped every police cruiser with additional life-saving equipment (AEDs) as well as every officer with Naloxone which reverses the effects of overdoses
- Increased forensic laboratory capabilities providing faster, more comprehensive results which have contributed to a higher success rate in solving crime
- Conducted daily and nightly visits to businesses, making 8,606 contacts and 6,852 closed business checks in 2017
- Hosted numerous community events, including Citizens’ Academies designed to provide residents with a better understanding of law enforcement and the services provided
- Instituted a police cadet program, employing college students who are interested in a law enforcement career
- Provided a professional public safety response to more than 37,000 calls for service every year
Since the public safety millage approval in 2010, Wyoming Fire Services have:
- Reduced response times with the 24/7 operation of the Gezon Fire Station and the addition of two Quick-Response Vehicles (QRVs)
- Added three full-time fire fighters
- Utilized part-time employees to implement a peak load staffing model which employs more staff during times of high call volume
- Crossed-trained and licensed 22 City employees as fire fighters and utilized Paid-On-Call staff
- Upgraded and replaced fire fighter personal protective gear (e.g. SCBA’s and turnout gear)
- Replaced outdated fire apparatus with the purchase of two pumpers, one aerial ladder, and one rescue support apparatus. A blocker truck was also added to the fleet for highway protection
- Secured EMS grants that allowed medical licensure to upgrade to EMT along with the purchase of CPR assisted compression devices
- Implemented the use of CAD computers to improve accuracy in reporting.
Visit the City Clerk's page for information about voter registration and locations.