“Disappointed” Ontwa Township Edwardsburg Police Department Chief Kenneth Wray said he would be meeting with the police board Wednesday night to assess options in the wake of a 13-vote loss Tuesday of its one-mill request.
Voters defeated the additional police mill, 316 no to 303 yes.
By comparison, Edwardsburg Public Schools’ operating millage renewal enjoyed a resounding win, 637 yes to 283 no.
“I’m disappointed it only missed by 13,” Wray said. “It’s hard to believe we didn’t quite make it. I thought it would either go one way or the other” by a wider margin.
“It baffles me,” Wray said.
Renewal of the department’s current two mills appears on the Aug. 7 primary ballot, so any additional try would not likely occur before the Nov. 6 general election, Wray said.
Wray said before the election a loss could mean the end of 24/7 police protection.
There are five road officers, plus himself and Assistant Chief Marty Pace, but one is primarily a school resource position. The department already cut one officer and office support.