The Jackson County Sheriff is asking voters to support a jail operating millage in the November general election, warning there could be serious consequences for public safety service if voters turn down this third attempt.
The ballot measure would raise approximately $1.5 million a year from property tax revenue to continue staffing and running the Chanter Road jail facility.
During last month's primary election, voters turned down a more expansive plan that would have raised more than $5 million in the first year for jail renovations. A similar proposal also failed in 2022.
"It's my responsibility as the county sheriff to make sure that everyone is educated enough so that when they go in and they vote, they're voting with a sound idea of what the millage represents," said Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette, speaking Sept. 19 at the Chanter Road jail facility. "And frankly, I think I failed...this is extraordinarily serious for public safety in this county."
Officials said the millage would fill a funding gap after a previous millage expired in 2022. The county has been using its rainy day fund to support operations, a move Schuette said is not economically feasible in the future.
If this ballot measure fails, officials say they’ll be forced to make $1 million in cuts to staffing and law enforcement service.
Schuette said that could lead to local townships losing a dedicated police presence. Without the operations funding, the jail may also have to impose limits on taking in new inmates.
“This millage is about the cops," Schuette said. "It's about their safety, and it's about the safety of the public."
The proposal will appear on the General election ballot on November 5th.
