WHITEHALL, MI – Voters narrowly defeated a special tax to pay for a new fire station and firefighting vehicles for the White Lake Fire Authority.
Voters on Tuesday defeated a 1.65-mill property tax request by a vote of 1,003 to 982, according to unofficial results. They previously defeated the same measure in 2015.
Those voting in the election were the same as those served by the fire department: residents of Whitehall, Fruitland Township and Whitehall Township.
Election results are unofficial until the board of canvassers meets later this week to certify them.
The $2.7 million fire station was proposed to be constructed at the corner of Cogswell Avenue and Ullman’s Way in the Whitehall industrial park. The WLFA had an option to purchase the property for $1 if the millage.
It would have replaced the current station at 115 S. Baldwin in downtown Whitehall.
The location in the industrial park is more central to the district’s service area, fire officials have said.
Results show the measure failed by ballots cast by absentee voters, who voted against the proposal by a tally of 341-181. Votes cast at the polls were 801-662 in favor of the measure, unofficial results show.
The millage also would have paid for two new pumper/tanker firefighting vehicles priced at $384,000 each. The dual-purpose vehicles – with the capability of hauling water and fighting fires – would have replaced a 29-year-old engine and a 25-year-old tanker.
The new 12,000-square-foot station would have had a diesel exhaust removal system, a bay layout to fit all firefighting apparatus, a kitchen/lounge area, separate restroom/shower facilities for men and women, offices, a small training room and a bedroom for firefighters working the overnight shift.
The current 3,500-square-foot station, owned by the city of Whitehall and leased by the fire authority, is cramped and doesn’t have a kitchen, sleeping quarters or training area for firefighters. It was built in 1954.
The five-year millage would have cost owners of a home with a $150,000 market value, and taxable value of $75,000, an additional $123.75 per year in property taxes
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