Title
Resolution to Encourage Support to Fund the Fire Protection Grant Program - Michigan House Bill 6348 (Substitute S-1)
Staff
Prepared by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
John Fournier, Assistant City Administrator
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Many cities in the State of Michigan provide fire protection services to State-owned institutions located in or near their communities;
Whereas, The local communities reliably provide those fire protection services to serve State government institutions at the primary expense of the local taxpayers;
Whereas, The University of Michigan has added property and buildings since Act 289 of 1977 (Payment for Fire Protection Services to Municipalities) was approved by the legislature;
Whereas, The University of Michigan is a state and national resource with benefits flowing throughout the region and state. The cost of protection for this asset and service should not be borne exclusively by the taxpayers of the City of Ann Arbor;
Whereas, The protection of these assets is a statutory duty recognized by the law of the state in Act 289 - and it is a duty which should be paid first, before new programs or enhancements of discretionary programs are considered;
Whereas, Full funding is actually very modest and does not account for the true cost of protecting the state’s assets, such as the University of Michigan;
Whereas, The State of Michigan has increased the funds available to Fire Protection Grants, but funding is still significantly less than that prescribed by the State;
Whereas, The State’s reliance on local communities to fund the State’s shortfall is in essence an unfunded mandate;
Whereas, Full funding of Fire Protection Grants could be accomplished with little impact on the State's total budget;
Whereas, The provision of Fire Services is an important and critical element in a local communities response to natural or man-made emergencies; and
Whereas, Many of the State institutions protected by local fire services are public universities housing young people from all areas of the State of Michigan;
RESOLVED, That the City of Ann Arbor encourages support to increase funding to the Fire Protection Grant Program and supports House Bill 6348; and
RESOLVED, That the City of Ann Arbor supports any and all amendments to HB 6348 that may be considered currently or in the future to increase funding for this important program; and
RESOLVED, That the City Clerk forward certified copies of the approved resolution to Governor Snyder, State Senator Warren, and State Representatives Rabhi and Zemke.
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Lumm, Smith, Hayner and Ackerman