Chelsea voters to pay $207 more yearly for new police force

Chelsea City Council members voted Tuesday to adopt a 5 mill property tax rate that will generate revenue for the city's first standalone police department. The new levy takes effect on Oct. 1, 2027, and will add approximately $207 to the annual tax bill for the average Chelsea homeowner.

The council approved the measure with a 4-1 vote. Councilman Casey Morris cast the sole dissenting vote. He argued that the city should finalize concrete operational plans for the department before committing to the tax. Morris noted that the long-term cost of the police force is projected to be double the current contract enforcement services over the next 15 years. He stated that the city currently has sustainable systems in place and should focus on those before expanding into new areas.

Mayor Cody Sumners countered that the city has historically been reactive in its management and is now moving to be proactive. Sumners emphasized that Chelsea is 30 years old and has never had its own police department. He pointed to the city's current population of 18,000 residents, which he said continues to grow daily, as a reason to stop delaying the transition. Sumners described the move as a necessary step to handle city services and information technology in a more permanent manner.

Chelsea currently relies on deputies from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement. The city pays approximately $1.7 million annually for these services. Sheriff’s leaders have informed city officials that they will not renew the current law enforcement contract past 2029. City estimates place the cost of running its own department at closer to $4 million per year. The new 5 mill tax is projected to bring in about $1.5 million annually to help cover these increased expenses.

Under the approved plan, the city will begin by hiring a police chief. The goal is to have a full-time police department operational by October 2029. City leaders have discussed the future of local law enforcement for several months, aiming to establish a permanent presence before the existing county contract expires.