In Michigan, local revenue sharing is the distribution of a portion of the state’s sales tax revenue to eligible counties, cities, townships and villages to help support vital services like police protection and firefighting.

Revenue sharing helps improve the stability of the tax structure and provide local tax relief.

Each dollar a community receives in revenue sharing is a dollar that the local government does not need to cut from services or raise through higher property taxes on area homeowners and small businesses.

A major highlight of the recently signed state budget is that local revenue sharing will increase by more than $22.5 million in fiscal year 2019, which starts Oct. 1. This builds on our continued efforts to boost support for our local units of government.

This revenue sharing boost will mean that communities in the 21st Senate District will receive nearly $10 million more than they did 10 years ago.

Over the past 10 budget years, revenue sharing in Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties has increased by nearly 44 percent.

According to the nonpartisan Senate Fiscal Agency, from fiscal year 2010 to the new FY 2019 budget, revenue sharing has increased by 48.6 percent in Berrien County, 58.6 percent in Cass County and 22.9 percent in St. Joseph County.

This includes the combined revenue sharing for each county government and the eligible city, village and township governments in each county.

Our local governments do tremendous work every day providing critical services to area residents and keeping our communities safe.

As southwest Michigan residents, my family and I appreciate everything our local government workers do for our community.

From protecting public safety and public health to maintaining local roads and parks, our local governments make a huge impact in our daily lives and deserve continued increased support.

JOHN PROOS, R-St. Joseph, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties.