The City is proposing a 2 mill tax levy to support Public Safety operations.

Planned Use of Funds

1. Essential Facility Upgrades

   • Construct a dedicated decontamination area to enhance firefighter health and safety.

   • Perform necessary repairs to the apparatus bay to ensure operational readiness.

   • Remediate environmental hazards, including mold and asbestos.

   • Renovate interior spaces to improve functionality and address space constraints.

2. Support for Operating Budget

   • Reduce reliance on the General Fund, allowing for the reallocation of resources to other critical community projects and services.

3. Modernization of Equipment

   • Replace outdated and non-compliant firefighting gear to meet current safety standards.

   • Purchase a new fire engine to ensure reliable emergency response capabilities.

For over a decade, the City has maintained a virtually unchanged operating levy, demonstrating a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility—even as operational costs and community needs have steadily increased.

In 2024, the City’s operating levy stood at 10.5535, slightly lower than the 2006 rate of 10.6639. This reflects a deliberate and disciplined approach: the City has consistently chosen not to burden taxpayers beyond what is truly necessary, prioritizing efficient use of existing resources.

However, this long-term restraint—while commendable—has also limited the City’s ability to fully address rising service demands, infrastructure needs, and inflationary pressures. Strategic investment is now essential to ensure continued high-quality services, public safety, and sustainability for the future.

What is being proposed is a dedicated Public Safety millage—a targeted funding solution that ensures every dollar collected is legally restricted for use exclusively on Public Safety services. This means the revenue cannot be diverted to other departments or purposes.

This dedicated millage provides a transparent, accountable, and sustainable way to directly support critical services such as fire protection, emergency response, and public safety infrastructure—ensuring our first responders have the tools, training, and resources they need to keep our community safe.

The City of Grand Haven operates under a Public Safety model. This means that all Officers are certified and cross-trained in police, fire and medical response.

· Unified command structures lead to faster, more coordinated responses during emergencies.

· Public Safety models require less overhead costs in regard to staffing.

· Integrated services can streamline dispatch and triage, ensuring the right personnel are sent quickly.

· Shared infrastructure, technology, training, and administrative resources reduce redundancy and save taxpayer money.

· A unified model can address not only crime and emergencies but also underlying social and mental health issues, reducing repeat calls and long-term strain on police.

· Public Safety officers receive cross-training in police, EMS, and fire services, allowing for a more versatile workforce.

· Integrated models can develop shared databases and communication platforms, enabling real-time decision-making and more effective long-term planning.

Constructed and opened in 1975, 525 Washington Avenue was originally developed with federal funding to serve as a Civil Defense headquarters. The facility also housed both the Police and Fire Departments, which operated independently within the same structure. Fire apparatus were stored on the upper level, while police cruisers were housed on the lower level with access from Columbus Street.

Historically, the City operated under a combined Police and Fire Department model from 1913 to 1931. This integrated approach was later reestablished with the formal adoption of the Public Safety model in the spring of 1994.

A decontamination room in a facility is a designated space for cleaning and disinfecting firefighters' personal protective equipment (PPE) and other gear to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful contaminants from fires and other emergencies. These rooms often include areas for washing gear, showering, and changing into clean uniforms. 

A decontamination space is critically important for firefighters because it helps protect their health and safety after exposure to hazardous substances during firefighting operations.

1. Exposure to Toxic Contaminants

Firefighters are routinely exposed to:

• Carcinogens (e.g., benzene, formaldehyde, PAHs) released from burning materials.

• Asbestos, heavy metals, and other toxins in older buildings.

• Biological hazards (e.g., blood, bodily fluids) during rescue operations.

Without decontamination, these substances remain on gear, skin, and hair — increasing the risk of cancer, respiratory illness, and skin conditions.

2. Preventing Cross-Contamination

• Contaminants can transfer from turnout gear and tools to fire stations, vehicles, and homes.

• Decontamination spaces help stop toxic residue from spreading, protecting both personnel and their families.

3. Compliance with Health & Safety Standards

• Organizations like NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommend or require decontamination procedures and spaces.

• Having dedicated spaces ensures fire departments meet regulations and best practices for occupational safety.

The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety (GHDPS) has set a strategic goal of achieving state-level accreditation to enhance operational excellence and service delivery. However, progress toward this goal has been hindered by ongoing challenges, including operating at minimum staffing levels, outdated equipment, and the need for comprehensive policy updates to meet accreditation standards.

A significant obstacle is that many grant opportunities—particularly those that could provide critical funding for equipment, training, and infrastructure—require accredited status as a condition of eligibility. This limitation restricts the Department’s ability to enhance self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on general fund allocations.

Compounding the issue, several federal grant programs prioritize or exclusively fund communities with separate police and fire departments. As a result, the City's current Public Safety model renders it ineligible for certain funding streams. The City is actively collaborating with state and federal legislators to advocate for changes that would recognize and support integrated public safety models like Grand Haven's.

The City of Grand Haven has demonstrated fiscal discipline, consistently working to minimize expenditures while creatively staffing and funding its operations. In recent years, the City has taken significant measures to strengthen its financial position, including:

• Reducing staff positions

• Reviewing and renegotiating fees and contracts

• Adjusting service levels

• Selling surplus City-owned property

• Operating with staff at or near full capacity

Despite these proactive efforts, the City continues to face substantial long-term financial obligations that constrain its ability to support day-to-day operations.

These obligations—costing the City millions annually—include, but are not limited to:

• Ongoing debt service payments

• Over $34 million in unfunded pension liabilities

• An estimated $40 to $80 million in future costs related to the environmental remediation of Harbor Island

These financial pressures create significant limitations on operational flexibility and investment in essential services. Addressing these challenges will require continued strategic planning and responsible fiscal management.

If the proposed millage is not successful, the City will have to reduce services including additional special assignments, school involvement, and special event services.

Additionally, staffing would remain at minimum levels likely resulting in an increased response time.