Ypsilanti voters weighed in on Washtenaw County ballot measures, contributing to passing initiatives that will fund emergency communications, veterans’ relief, elderly services, mental health services, public safety, and special education.
The enhanced emergency communication ballot measure passed with 64% of votes approving the measure.
The millage provides about 2000 mobile and portable radios to all police, fire, and EMS units in Washtenaw County, according to the Washtenaw Emergency Communications Consortium.
The Veterans’ Relief millage has passed with 71% voter approval and will fund the Washtenaw County Department of Veterans Affairs in providing financial aid and services to veterans.
A portion of the funds will be used for department operations and the other will be used for Veterans relief programs throughout the county, according to the Board of Commissioners.
The new elderly services millage has been passed with 57% voter approval and will fund services and programs for people aged 60 and older in Washtenaw County.
A proposed plan to allocate these funds would be to establish a dedicated team to manage funding for older adult services, with the Commission on Aging advising the Board of Commissioners, according to the Board of Commissioners.
The community mental health and public safety millage was passed with 69% of votes approving the ballot measure. This will fund the county sheriff's department, the local police department, and the county’s community mental health department.
The millage will generate resources for mental health and substance use treatment programs that improve health and quality of life across the county, according to Washtenaw County Community Mental Health.
The bill will also contribute to public safety programs, infrastructure, and equipment, according to the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department.
The special education millage renewal received about 73% of approval among voters. This millage will fund special education services for students with disabilities in the Washtenaw Intermediate School District.
“This millage renewal will positively impact every classroom in every school district across Washtenaw County, and we are grateful to our community for their continued support and commitment to ensuring every student has what they need to thrive,” said Washtenaw ISD Superintendent Naomi Norman in a statement thanking voters.
