SE Oakland News

The Michigan House of Representatives has approved a 2026 state budget plan that includes $3.2 million for public safety projects in Oakland County. The funding, requested by State Rep. Mike Harris, R-Waterford, is divided between $2.3 million for a new fire station in Waterford and $900,000 for the installation of 10 high-capacity fire protection wells in Springfield Township.

Waterford’s Fire Station No. 2, which is more than seven decades old, faces significant structural issues such as asbestos, mold, outdated HVAC and electrical systems, and frequent sewer backups. The facility is also too small to meet current needs and lacks separate sleeping quarters for male and female staff as well as proper storage and decontamination areas needed to reduce exposure to hazardous materials.

Due to the inability to expand at its current location because of a nearby sewer line, township officials plan to sell the existing station and construct a new one on vacant township-owned land. The new facility will serve residents of Waterford Township and Lake Angelus while also acting as a backup for Independence Township and Pontiac. Its coverage area extends to Auburn Hills, Springfield Township, and the Oakland County International Airport.

The inclusion of these funds comes at a time when the House GOP has reduced earmarks in the budget from about $1 billion in previous years to just under $100 million this year in an effort to cut wasteful spending and allocate more resources toward road improvements.

“This is a public safety issue for multiple jurisdictions,” Harris said. “From a logistics points of view, the station location makes it a very needed resource for surrounding communities, so it’s for more than just Waterford.”

The estimated total cost for building the new fire station is $11 million; state support will help offset some of those expenses for local taxpayers.

In Springfield Township, Harris secured $900,000 from the state budget for 10 high-capacity fire protection wells intended to replace older private wells that have become less reliable due to regional hydrogeology changes. These wells are expected to improve local firefighting capabilities by ensuring steady water access where hydrants are not available.

“These wells are not a luxury, they are a necessity,” Harris said while testifying before an appropriations subcommittee on July 24. “Without them, our firefighters must rely on water tankers and long-haul mutual aid, which delays response time and places lives, homes, and businesses at unnecessary risk.”

Each well would provide between 300-500 gallons per minute of water supply. Their placement throughout Springfield Township aims to enable faster emergency response times both within the community itself and neighboring areas.

Harris noted that improved firefighting infrastructure could help maintain or improve Springfield’s ISO Class Three fire rating—a factor that can influence insurance costs—and support revitalization efforts in Davisburg’s historic downtown area by offering better property protection.

“This is a smart and responsible use of taxpayer dollars,” Harris said.

Rep. Mike Harris represents House District 52 in northern Oakland County and previously served as a police officer with Waterford Police Department for 25 years.