Major Spike in Police Service Costs Shakes Lyon Township
Lyon Township is feeling the heat as the costs for police services are set to rise dramatically. Officials are sounding the alarm over a staggering 30% increase in expenses, projected to hit roughly $1.5 million over the next three years. This news has left many township leaders feeling frustrated and confused about the future of their community policing budget.
Unpacking the Numbers
Just a month ago, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved new rates for contracted police services from the sheriff’s office with a nail-biting 10-9 vote. The changes include an initial cost surge of 15% in the first year, followed by steady increases of 9% each in the second and third years.
Previously, the township had earmarked about $4.6 million annually to cover the salaries, benefits, and vehicles for 20 deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. With the new rate hikes, Lyon Township’s budget for police services has ballooned to more than $5.1 million in 2025.
Voices of Concern
Township Treasurer Patty Carcone expressed her dismay, sharing that she feels “depressed” about the situation. “We matched what we are going to have to spend, but going forward, it’s ridiculous,” Carcone stated. Supervisor John Dolan pushed back against the steep rate hike and pointed out that township voters had recently approved a 3.4 mills tax for police services in August. “This increase came out of the blue,” Dolan lamented.
The Other Side of the Story
On the flip side, Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dave Woodward defended the increase as necessary. He mentioned that the county had begun discussions three years back about whether communities were contributing fairly towards the actual costs of police services. “To make a long story short, we want everyone to pay their fair share and not be subsidized,” Woodward said.
He explained that previous administrations had allowed communities to avoid bearing full costs, contributing to the current spike. The increase figures in a variety of growing expenses, including healthcare costs, equipment costs, and maintenance of newer, more expensive patrol vehicles.
Impact on School Resource Officers
The budget strain is raising difficult questions about funding for school resource officers (SROs) in the area. Under the new contract, the cost for these officers will see a marked increase, rising from $157,000 to $187,000—a major jump when considering budget constraints. With prices projected to reach approximately $222,000 by 2027, keeping three SROs is proving to be a “challenging situation,” according to Lyon Township Substation Commander Lt. Leslie Whitfield.
Seeking Solutions
As the South Lyon Schools work to navigate these financial waters, Superintendent Steve Archibald is seeking discussions on potential funding avenues. For years, school resource officers have seen their costs partially covered through state funding and grants, but the shared financial burden among local jurisdictions has created mounting frustration.
Despite the looming challenges, Dolan remains optimistic about the future of the SROs. “If we have money, we will always come to the plate,” he said, emphasizing the importance of keeping officers in schools to ensure student safety. But concerns linger that if financial support doesn’t materialize, the possibility of scaling back or potentially dropping SROs altogether may have to be on the table.
The Road Ahead
As Lyon Township gears up for these changes, the community is left waiting with bated breath, hoping for some solutions to their financial predicament and the evolving landscape of policing in their town. “No SROs is a last, last, last resort,” Dolan reassured, affirming that he believes there are pathways to keep essential services intact.
Many in Lyon Township are hopeful that collaboration and supportive financial strategies can bridge the gap, allowing the township to maintain its safety standards without breaking the bank. Only time will tell how this story unfolds.
For more information, feel free to reach out. The folks at Lyon Township are eager to find a way to work through these challenges together!
