OpenCampaign

Public Safety

Corrections and detention millage

Kent County voters face a November 2026 decision on renewing and increasing the corrections/detention millage that funds the aging county jail (parts from 1972) and Juvenile Detention Center. The proposal would raise the rate to about 0.98 mills for 20 years to generate roughly $37 million in first-year revenue for operations, maintenance, medical/mental health upgrades, and reduced external transports, after Board approval of ballot language. Failure would pressure the General Fund; it is not intended to expand bed capacity or create ICE-specific beds.

Should Kent County voters approve the proposed renewal and increase of the corrections and detention millage?

Tap a point along the line below to show where you stand.

How important is this to you?

Sources

The Rapidian — https://therapidian.org/voters-asked-to-consider-renewing-millage-supporting-county-corrections
Supports the Kent County Correctional Facility (jail, parts dating to 1972) and Juvenile Detention Center. Proposal: Renew/increase to 0.98 mills for 20 years
WWMT / Sheriff’s Office — https://wwmt.com/news/local/medical-service-upgrades-increased-property-tax-mill-renewal-november-ballot-kent-county-sheriff-office-kcso-20-year-corrections-juvenile-detention-center-western-michigan
Funds operations, maintenance, equipment, capital improvements, debt service, and upgrades especially for medical/mental health services
WOODTV / Kent County Commissioners — https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/kent-county-commissioners-ok-ballot-language-for-corrections-millage/
Board approved language after review (subcommittee process; some party-line elements, e.g., 11-5)
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Reject any millage increase and cut jail funding while expanding alternatives to incarceration
  2. Approve only a renewal at the current lower rate with strict limits on medical upgrades
  3. Let the Board decide case-by-case without a long-term dedicated millage
  4. Approve the full renewal and increase to 0.98 mills for facility and health upgrades
  5. Approve a larger increase plus expanded capacity and stronger enforcement tools