Royal Oak: Send Us Your Public Safety Millage Questions

Questions and comments have been pouring in to Royal Oak Patch since the Royal Oak City Commission unanimously voted to start the process to put a referendum on the ballot this November asking the voters for a

Interim Chief Corrigan O’Donohue has stated that police operations, with only 66 sworn officers, are at critical staffing levels. In the last four years the Royal Oak Police Department lost nearly 40 percent of its staff. Ten years ago the department had 102 sworn officers.

"The men and women of the Royal Oak Police Department do an incredible job, but it is unsustainable," in June. The chief pointed to the detective bureau, which he said is burned out and could use help. O’Donohue said 79 sworn officers is the bare minimum needed for the department to be effective.

The city recently contracted with a nonprofit public safety consultant, to audit police operations.

"The results of this independent audit included recommendations for modest personnel increases and major structural changes to make the police department as efficient as possible," said . The independent audit was a major influence in calculating the size of the millage to request, Ellison said.

Millage Proposal Basics

What: Royal Oak voters will be asked for a public safety millage of 3.975 mills over five years.

When: The millage request will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Why: The millage will allow the city to maintain current service levels, implement the and make other minor needed improvements, including continuing to fund senior programs, said Mayor Jim Ellison in his State of the City address.

Cost: The city estimates it will cost the average Royal Oak homeowner an extra $268.82 each year based on the average residential taxable value for 2012, which is $67,628.

Questions?

Chief O'Donohue and City Manager Don Johnson have agreed to answer any questions Royal Oak Patch readers might have about public safety, the ICMA recommendations or the need for the proposed millage.

If you have questions, please leave a comment on this story and we'll do our best to answer them!