Lower millage rate okayed for Bloomfield Village

Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approved a combined police and fire millage rate of 1.496 mills for fiscal year 2018-2019 at their meeting on Monday, October 8, a decrease from the previous fiscal year.

Bloomfield Village is a one square mile municipality within Bloomfield Township, and receives full municipal services from the township. In addition, they have had a special assessment district for approximately 30 years to fund their own police department and volunteer fire department. The funding is paid by residents in the form of a dedicated millage.

Treasurer Brian Kepes said that for fiscal year April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, the combined assessment was 1.5540 mills. For fiscal year April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019, the combined assessment is 1.496 mills, a decrease of .058 mills to Bloomfield Village residents. Residents pay their assessment on their December taxes.

“The rate fluctuates year-to-year based on their expenses,” explained township supervisor Leo Savoie.

Bloomfield Village police officers are retired officers from other police forces, and many used to serve on the Bloomfield Township police force, Savoie said. They are paid by Bloomfield Township but funded through the millage.