From Washtenaw County
At the June 5, 2024, Commissioners voted 8-1 to place the renewal and restoration of the Mental Health and Public Safety Levy on the 2024 general election ballot. First passed by voters in 2017 by a 2-1 margin, the tax has expanded community mental health and public safety services, increased access to mental health and substance abuse treatment across Washtenaw County by 109 percent, and invested $5.3 million in diversion and deflection programs.
The commission began discussing the renewal and restoration of the levy during a work session on March 6 and has deliberated through eight subsequent meetings, receiving a great deal of public input from both those in favor and against the levy.
“Throughout this process, the commission prioritized public input and ensured the community’s voice was heard at multiple meetings and town halls held throughout Washtenaw County over a four-month period,” said Commissioner Justin Hodge, District 5, who serves as commission chair. “The Mental Health and Public Safety Tax has had a tremendous impact on our community, supporting programs that help families help their children, stop retaliatory violence, and increase access to critical mental health services. As a social worker and professor of social work, I understand the importance of mental health awareness, crisis response programs, and supportive housing initiatives. I encourage voters to learn all they can about this tax before voting in November.”
The commission voted to keep the original funding allocation in place, with 38 percent going to the sheriff’s office, 38 percent to community mental health and 24 percent to reimburse cities and towns that have their own police forces.
In parallel with deliberations on the levy, the commission has also been working in parallel to develop a tax expenditure ordinance, which is an internal policy that dictates how the funds will be spent and managed. Commissioner Annie Somerville, District 6, has led the effort to amend the public safety section of the ordinance, focusing on mental health and behavioral health services, rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing, and programs for people who help stop violence in our community.
“The changes I proposed to the ordinance are a best effort to cater to both those who want to keep the levy the way it is and those who want to put more funding into mental health and person-centered needs,” said District 6 Commissioner Annie Somerville. “By addressing the current issues facing our community through this ordinance, I aimed to bring the levy up to date and ensure it is responsive to the changing needs of our community.”
For more information on programs funded by Community Mental Health, please see the 2022 Mirage Impact Report, and for more information on programs funded by the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, please see the Mirage Investment and Impact Report.
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