Augusta Charter Township voters will decide Aug. 4 whether to renew the fire department’s operating millage and approve an additional mill for staffing and equipment.
The proposals will appear separately on the ballot. Both would run from 2027 through 2030.
What Would the Renewal Do?
The first proposal would renew the township’s fire protection and prevention millage.
Originally approved at 2 mills, the levy has been reduced by Headlee rollbacks to 1.9964 mills. It is expected to raise $793,221 in its first year. The current millage expires at the end of 2026.
A property with $100,000 in taxable value would pay about $199.64 annually. Taxable value is used to calculate property taxes and is not necessarily the same as market value.
Revenue from the millage supports the department’s operations. Augusta relies primarily on paid-on-call firefighters, who generally have other jobs and are paid while responding to emergencies, attending training and performing other department duties.
The department says it responds to about 600 calls each year.
What Would the Additional Mill Fund?
The second proposal would authorize up to 1 additional mill, bringing the total fire levy to no more than 3 mills. It is expected to raise about $396,610 in its first year.
The additional mill would cost up to $100 annually for a property with $100,000 in taxable value. If both proposals pass, the combined cost would be up to $299.64 annually.
The ballot language authorizes the revenue for fire protection and prevention services. The department says it plans to use the additional funding for scheduled duty shifts, firefighter recruitment and retention, and the maintenance or replacement of vehicles, protective gear and other equipment.
Duty shifts would place firefighters at the station during scheduled hours while supplementing, rather than replacing, paid-on-call members. The department says both fire engines are more than 20 years old.
Would the Overall Fire Tax Change?
Residents previously paid a separate 1-mill levy used to build the current fire station. The station was paid off in 2025, and the millage expired at the end of the year.
Approving both proposals would keep the combined fire levy near the same 3-mill level residents previously paid. The additional revenue would support staffing and equipment rather than construction.
Featured photo: The Augusta Township Fire Station. Photo by Heather Finch
114 North Main St Suite 10 Chelsea, MI 48118
