Clinton Fire Department millage renewal on Aug. 4 ballot

The exterior of the Clinton Fire Department, 102 Jackson St., is pictured. The department is seeking a renewal of its 1.6-mills tax levy as part of the Aug. 4 primary election.

By BRAD HEINEMAN

Clinton Local

Village of Clinton and Clinton Township residents are being asked to vote on a millage renewal for the Clinton Fire Department during the upcoming primary election.

The proposal, which is part of the Aug. 4 election, is a straightforward renewal of the department’s current 1.6-mill funding structure — $1.60 per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value. If approved by voters, the renewal will maintain the existing tax rate without increasing taxes for property owners while continuing to provide stable funding for emergency services.

If approved, the renewal would extend funding for eight years from 2028 through 2035. The current millage, last approved by voters in 2020, remains in effect through 2027.

Fire department, township and village officials have emphasized that the proposal is not a tax increase but a continuation of the current funding levels that support fire protection, emergency response, training, equipment and other public safety services.

“The voters renewed the fire millage in 2020, which has been the backbone of our department’s ability to provide cost-effective fire and rescue services,” Clinton Township Supervisor Walter “Jamie” Murphy said in a news release. “This August, we are simply asking to keep the same millage rate in place. This is a request for a renewal, not a tax increase.”

The fire millage began more than 30 years ago, the result of the fire department seeking to acquire two fire trucks. An operating millage for the department was put before the township and village residents after that. Each election cycle since in which the millage is up for renewal, has been supported by the voters.

In the first year of the millage renewal levy, the tax is estimated to generate $257,600, all of which will benefit the Clinton Fire Department.

“That has been the same amount of money we have collected for the last 35 years,” Murphy said during the township board’s July 13 meeting. “That’s no different. And if (the millage) doesn’t pass, we’re going to have to take some drastic cuts, because we can’t afford to shell out half the money, and the village can’t either.”

Funding for the fire department also comes from Bridgewater and Macon townships on a contract basis, Murphy added. Those contracts are revisited every two years.

“We do get some money there but it’s not enough to maintain the services that we provide now,” he said.

Under the leadership of fire chief Dennis Keezer and assistant fire chief Clayton Covell, the Clinton Fire Department continues to set a standard for volunteer-led emergency services. The department maintains an ISO (Insurance Services Office) Class 4 rating — one of the highest classifications achievable for a volunteer department.

ISO is an independent organization. The ISO scores fire departments on how they are doing against its standards to determine property insurance costs. For many departments, ISO ratings are a way to validate operational standards, support funding discussions and demonstrate a commitment to protecting the community.

“This rating is a testament to the professional readiness of our dedicated volunteers,” Keezer said in the release. “Beyond ensuring safety, this prestigious federal classification provides a direct economic boost to our residents by helping to lower property insurance premiums.”

Fire officials said the department remains committed to responsible financial management through disciplined planning and the “aggressive” pursuit of grant opportunities. According to Township Clerk Kim Scott, the department continues to prioritize essential equipment over “wish-list” items.

In 2023, for example, the department purchased a new fire engine for $428,000 in cash by utilizing a strategic fund allocation and selecting a commercial chassis over a custom model. Department officials said they were able to modernize its fleet without incurring any debt or interest.

The department has also secured more than $330,000 in grants for capital improvements, including new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), an air bottle filling station and advanced vehicle extrication equipment.

Officials encourage residents to learn more about the proposal before casting their ballots in the August primary.

“The fire millage has allowed us to provide reliable, professional services while maintaining a lean and efficient budget,” Village President Doris Kemner said. “We are proud to serve this community and remain committed to being excellent stewards of the taxpayer’s dollar.”