Jackson jail millage goes to ballot again—but it’s different

JACKSON, Mich. (WLNS) – The Jackson Jail Operations Millage will appear on ballots again this November, and Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette says this time is different.

“This millage request simply replaces operation cost only,” said Schuette. “It does not build a new jail and it’s important that everyone understands that.”

He emphasized that this millage is actually half the cost.

“For every $100,000 in property value, taxes will be increased from this mileage at $12.50 a year,” Schuette explained.

Schuette says this would generate $1.5 million a year to operate their facility on Chanter Road—and if it doesn’t pass—the sheriff will have to cut a million dollars from his budget.

“My budget includes both law-enforcement services in this community and correction services,” said Schuette. “$1 million equates to twelve full-time deputy positions.”

Schuette says an equal reduction from both the corrections and law enforcement services could leave townships without designated or 24-hour law enforcement to only receive police response in emergencies.

“This would cause crowding issues at the Wesley Street facility and limit our ability to process the inmates that are coming in,” said Schuette.

The sheriff said these limitations would be similar to the restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic—meaning they would only be able to take in inmates for a felony or certain misdemeanor arrests.

The sheriff made it clear that the millage is focused on operational costs.

“Operation expenses…actually means full-time positions, salaries for full-time positions,” said Schuette.

He says the funds for these salaries have been coming from the county’s rainy day fund.

“That rainy day fund is being depleted as we speak for those operational costs and that’s just something that cannot continue on,” he said.

Sheriff Gary Schuette also said the millage is about the safety of officers—and the safety of the public—and he hopes people are well-informed going into November.

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