Citizens for Mental Health & Public Safety
Advocating for mental health funding in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County
Make your voice heard on how to spend the County Mental Health & Public Safety Millage funds
If you or someone you know needs immediate help with a mental health issue, call Washtenaw County Community Mental Health 24/7 Access/Crisis Services at 734-544-3050.
Evolution of the Controversy
This section describes the events, in chronological order, that led us to the current state of the controversy over how the 2017 Millage funds should be spent. A lack of adequate communication from public officials and advocates of a "yes" vote caused voters to have different understandings of what they were voting on. Inevitably, the election was not an accurate reflection of preferences -- at least in the City of Ann Arbor. Not surprisingly, citizens continue to disagree on the use of the millage revenues in the perceived absence of a fair, transparent election.
This section also describes the events leading to controversy at the County level concerning support for mental health services.
June - July 2017
Final stages of crafting ballot language &
City Council resolution of intent
September - October 2017
November 7, 2017
January - March 2018
April 2018
May 21, 2018
August 7, 2018
October 15, 2018
April 1, 2019
April 5, 2019
September 2018
FY 2018 deficit causes WCCMH to exhaust its reserves and the County to allocate $3.7 million to WCCMH
April 15, 2019
City Council voted 7-4 in favor of overriding the Mayor’s veto — one short of the needed 8 votes
April 15, 2019
May 20, 2019
Spring 2019
Summer 2019
August 2019
September 2019
Late 2018
Janary - March 2019
March 11, 2021
April 5, 2021
May 18, 2020
May 17, 2021
November 3, 2020
City voters approved overwhelmingly a 20-year one mill levy for affordable housing (Proposal C). Many households with a member living with a mental health condition find it difficult or impossible to afford market-rate safe, stable housing. This measure should help.
City Council adopted the FY 2022 Budget and included the 40-40-20 allocation of Millage funds -- thus $1 million for climate action (pp. 7-9 in linked source)
Mid-2021
WCCMH fiscal situation was much improved from 2019
February 15, 2022
A City survey of how residents would like American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to be used showed the number one and two priorities are i) human and social services and ii) affordable housing.
October 1, 2021
The Assistant City Administrator provided the City Council the preliminary recommendation for the allocation of ARPA funds.
December 21, 2021
Interim City Administrator issued his Interim Report on Unarmed Police Response
February 25, 2022
The City Administrator provided the City Council his final recommendation for the allocation of ARPA funds.
April 4, 2022