Hartland Township adopts resolution to place 2.3-mill fire services millage on Aug. 4 ballot
July 01, 2026 | Hartland, Livingston County, Michigan
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Hartland Township Board of Trustees voted 6–0–1 on April 21 to adopt a resolution authorizing language for a five-year fire services millage of 2.3 mills to appear on the Aug. 4, 2026 ballot. Clerk Ciofu moved to adopt the resolution, Trustee Petrucci seconded, and a roll-call vote recorded six yeas and one absence.
Township counsel Joe Colaianne of Clark Hill PLC told the board the proposed ballot language complies with the state Property Tax Act and must be submitted to the county by May 12, 2026 to appear on the Aug. 4 ballot. Colaianne described the proposal as a new millage authorization for 2026 through 2030 and said the first-year revenue estimate at 2.3 mills is $2,489,835 (calculated at $2.30 per $1,000 of taxable value). He noted the proposal is technically a new millage and is 0.24 mills higher than a 2.06 millage that expired in 2025.
Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority Chief Adam Carroll summarized the planning process and credited Steven Burke of MFCI with assisting in five‑year forecasts used to set the rate. Carroll explained the HDFA and the two townships use a usage-based formula (a three-year average of hours worked in each township) to allocate costs between Deerfield and Hartland and that the proposed increase responds largely to inflationary pressures and capital financing needs.
Finance Director Susan Dryden said most proceeds would fund HDFA operations and capital needs and also support maintenance of township-owned fire buildings and sirens. Trustee Petrucci added that he had discussed the nominal increase with the Deerfield supervisor and that Deerfield plans to increase its rate to match.
The resolution, adopted “as amended,” authorizes the township clerk, the township attorney and other officials to take necessary steps to place the question on the August ballot. The motion carried on a roll-call vote with Supervisor Fountain, Clerk Ciofu, Treasurer Horning, Trustee Lubeski, Trustee McMullen and Trustee Petrucci voting yes; Trustee Denise O'Connell was absent. The board recorded the motion as passed, 6–0–1.
Next steps: the township will submit the approved ballot language to the county by the May 12, 2026 deadline and the question will appear on the Aug. 4, 2026 ballot if the county accepts the language.
Township counsel Joe Colaianne of Clark Hill PLC told the board the proposed ballot language complies with the state Property Tax Act and must be submitted to the county by May 12, 2026 to appear on the Aug. 4 ballot. Colaianne described the proposal as a new millage authorization for 2026 through 2030 and said the first-year revenue estimate at 2.3 mills is $2,489,835 (calculated at $2.30 per $1,000 of taxable value). He noted the proposal is technically a new millage and is 0.24 mills higher than a 2.06 millage that expired in 2025.
Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority Chief Adam Carroll summarized the planning process and credited Steven Burke of MFCI with assisting in five‑year forecasts used to set the rate. Carroll explained the HDFA and the two townships use a usage-based formula (a three-year average of hours worked in each township) to allocate costs between Deerfield and Hartland and that the proposed increase responds largely to inflationary pressures and capital financing needs.
Finance Director Susan Dryden said most proceeds would fund HDFA operations and capital needs and also support maintenance of township-owned fire buildings and sirens. Trustee Petrucci added that he had discussed the nominal increase with the Deerfield supervisor and that Deerfield plans to increase its rate to match.
The resolution, adopted “as amended,” authorizes the township clerk, the township attorney and other officials to take necessary steps to place the question on the August ballot. The motion carried on a roll-call vote with Supervisor Fountain, Clerk Ciofu, Treasurer Horning, Trustee Lubeski, Trustee McMullen and Trustee Petrucci voting yes; Trustee Denise O'Connell was absent. The board recorded the motion as passed, 6–0–1.
Next steps: the township will submit the approved ballot language to the county by the May 12, 2026 deadline and the question will appear on the Aug. 4, 2026 ballot if the county accepts the language.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
