POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION S.B. 762:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 762 (as reported without amendment)
CONTENT
The bill would amend Public Act 33 of 1951 (Police and Fire Protection) to modify the county population requirement within the definition of "qualified city".
The Act allows township boards and the boards of adjoining townships to establish and maintain police and fire departments; purchase police and fire equipment, vehicles, and housing; defray the cost by special assessment, with voter approval; and take other authorized actions. The Act specifies that any reference to townships applies to townships, incorporated villages, and qualified cities; and that any reference to township boards applies to township boards and the legislative bodies of incorporated villages and qualified cities.
Currently, a "qualified city" means either of the following:
-- A city with a population of less than 15,000.
-- A city with a population of 15,000 or more and less than 70,000 located in a county with a population of more than 200,000 and less than 235,000, if the question of raising money by special assessment and the amount of the special assessment to be levied annually under the Act is approved by a majority of the electors in the special assessment district.
The amount of the special assessment to be levied annually under the Act that was approved by a majority of electors may not be increased unless that increase is first approved by a majority of the electors in the special assessment district.
Under the bill, instead, a "qualified city" would mean city with a population of less than 15,000, or a city with a population of 15,000 or more and less than 70,000 located in a county with a population of more than 180,000 and less than 215,000, subject to the special assessment provisions described above.
MCL 41.810 Legislative Analyst: Dana Adams
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government compared to current practice. Currently, the only city with a population of over 15,000 that qualifies under the Act is Saginaw. Absent the population changes in the bill, Saginaw would cease to meet the requirements of a "qualified city" and no longer would be able to raise the additional revenue available under the Act. Based on current population estimates, no other cities would meet the bill's requirements.
Date Completed: 2-19-20 Fiscal Analyst: Ryan Bergan
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.