Broken-down trucks closed a Highland fire station overnight, weeks before fire millage vote
With three of four trucks out of service, Highland Township closed Fire Station No. 2 for about a day in late September. Voters will decide a fire and EMS millage Nov. 3 after rejecting it narrowly in August.
By OCJ Staff
Highland Township closed one of its two fire stations for about a day last month because most of its trucks were broken down — a situation township leaders are pointing to ahead of a fire and EMS millage vote Nov. 3.
The closure
Fire Station No. 2 closed Sunday afternoon, Sept. 27, and reopened Monday afternoon, Sept. 28, after one truck was returned to service, WXYZ reported. Three of the department's four trucks had been out of service. It was the first closure of either station this year.
Fire Chief Nicholas George blamed slow parts supply since the COVID pandemic. He told WXYZ that a full set of firefighter gear cost about $6,000 in 2020 and about $22,000 now. The department recently received a federal grant of more than $700,000 for breathing equipment. It has 26 firefighters.
The ballot question
Highland's fire and EMS millage failed in August, 51% to 49%, WHMI reported, and the township board put it back on the Nov. 3 ballot.
According to the Oakland County Clerk's official proposal list, the question asks voters to renew 1.85 mills and add a 0.47-mill increase, for a total of 2.32 mills over six years, 2027 through 2032. It is estimated to raise about $2.73 million in its first year — about $2.18 million from the renewal and $553,000 from the increase. WHMI reported the increase would cost the average parcel about $67 a year.
"Without it, it would be a big crisis," Supervisor Rick Hamill told WXYZ.
Voters can read the exact ballot language on the Oakland County Clerk's November 2026 proposal list at oaklandcountymi.gov.
This story uses reporting from WXYZ and WHMI.