Fire Protection, Growth, and Transparency: Why Process Matters in Oshtemo

Oshtemo residents strongly support fire protection. Firefighters need proper staffing, equipment, and facilities to keep the community safe. That shared value is not in question.

What has raised concern is how major financial planning has been handled, particularly as the Township continues approving high-density residential development that increases service demand — and how little of that planning was discussed publicly until outside funding was recently lost and exposed planning.

Growth Drives the Need — and Growth Is a Board Decision

Oshtemo’s population is growing, in large part because the Township Board has repeatedly approved high-density residential development. More housing means more emergency calls, more staffing needs, and eventually larger or additional fire facilities.

That growth does not happen automatically — it is a policy choice. When growth decisions increase long-term infrastructure costs, residents deserve early, clear communication about what those costs will be and how they may be paid for.

What Residents Thought They Were Approving

At the November 25, 2025 board meeting, the Township Board renewed the Fire & Safety special assessment. The resolution states the assessment exists:

“for the purpose of raising sufficient funds to provide fire and safety protection within the District for a 12-month period.”

Many residents reasonably understood that to mean ongoing fire protection services — staffing, equipment, and day-to-day operations.

What was not clearly explained is that this funding mechanism works differently than a voter-approved millage.

What the Resolution Actually Allows

The Fire & Safety special assessment is renewed by Board action, not by a public vote. The resolution confirms that the Township may levy:

“Fire and Safety Special Assessment levies of 3.75 mills (District No. 1) and 5.75 mills (District No. 2)”

and that those levies are:

“approved and confirmed for collection” by the Township Board.

Because this is a special assessment, Michigan law does not require a ballot proposal to renew it or to use it for long-term fire department costs — including new facilities. The Township Board sets the assessment each year and can raise or lower it by resolution, without a public election. There has been no public vote on a new fire station. Many residents felt this resolution was just for a small part of the township - however further review shows the majority of the township divided in one of the two zones.

That distinction matters.

The Fire Station Plans Became Public After the Grant Was Lost

Many residents first learned of plans for a new fire station only after the State of Michigan clawed back a $1 million grant. According to WOOD TV, the Township Board had already accepted the grant months earlier:

“In a July meeting this year, the Oshtemo Township board unanimously accepted a state Labor and Economic Opportunity grant that would have reimbursed costs associated with a new fire station.”

The grant was intended to fund early planning and land acquisition:

“The grant would give the project a foothold by redoing the facility study… The remainder would help find and secure the land.”

Only after the funding was pulled did the project’s scale become widely known.

The Cost Was Acknowledged — After the Fact

In the same report, Township Supervisor Cheri Bell acknowledged the magnitude of the project:

“A station right now… is, you know, $10, $12, $14 million.”

For many residents, this was the first time a project of that size had been discussed publicly — despite earlier grant acceptance and planning.

Why the Special Assessment Structure Matters

The Fire & Safety special assessment creates a standing funding mechanism that can be renewed or adjusted by the Township Board without voter approval. While it currently funds operations, it may also be used to support long-term fire department costs tied to growth and facilities.

The resolution itself does not limit the assessment to operations only. It does not require a public vote for future use. That is why residents were surprised — not because they oppose fire protection, but because they were unaware of how much discretion the structure allows.

Transparency Is the Issue — Not Fire Protection

Residents can support strong fire protection and still expect:

• Early disclosure of major capital planning

• Clear explanations of funding mechanisms

• Honest discussion about how development decisions increase long-term costs

When plans for a $10–14 million public facility come to light only after funding problems arise, trust is strained.

Transparent leadership explains the full picture upfront, especially when decisions can move forward without a ballot.

Oshtemo deserves both strong fire protection and open, accountable governance.

If you want leadership that values transparency before making long-term financial decisions, sign the recall petitions.