The 2026 state budget plan recently approved by the Michigan House of Representatives includes $3.2M for two local public safety projects: $2.3 million for a new Waterford fire station, and $900,000 for 10 high-capacity fire protection wells for Springfield Township.

State Rep. Mike Harris, R-Waterford, made the funding requests and successfully worked to get them included in the House-passed budget plan. The two projects will now be part of final negotiations over the state budget, which are currently underway.

Harris requested $2.3 million from state to replace Fire Station No. 2

Waterford’s Fire Station No. 2 is more than 70 years old, outdated, and structurally unsound.

The building suffers from major issues, including asbestos, mold, failing HVAC and electrical systems, and frequent sewer backs up. It is also undersized and lacks proper storage and decontamination space, which is needed to reduce exposure to cancer-causing chemicals and harmful materials.

Staffed 24/7 by four firefighters, the station is no longer sufficient for current needs. It does not provide separate sleeping quarters for male and female staff, and the garage no longer has adequate space to accommodate the fire trucks.

Because expansion is not feasible due to a nearby sewer line, the township plans to sell the current station and build a new facility on vacant township owned property. The new fire station will serve as a first-response hub for residents of Waterford Township and Lake Angelus, and as the first backup from Waterford for Independence Township and Pontiac. The station also covers Auburn Hills, Springfield Township, and the Oakland County International Airport.

It took considerable effort to get this funding included in the budget plan. The House budget includes just under $100M of earmarks, a sharp drop from the approximately $1 billion in pork barrel spending typical in recent years. That’s because the House GOP cut most earmarks in order to eliminate waste and free up money for road funding. The earmark requests that made it into the budget are for projects that address critical infrastructure and public safety needs.

To that point, Harris successfully argued that the spending is for necessary public safety infrastructure, and that it will benefit multiple communities, justifying the state’s involvement.

“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 total cost of building a new station is estimated at $11M; the $2.3 million from the state will help defray that cost and lessen the burden on local taxpayers.

Springfield Township could get $900,000 to install 10 high-capacity fire protection wells

Harris secured $900,000 in the state budget to install 10 new high-capacity fire protection wells in Springfield Township. These wells will replace aging, less reliable private wells and address challenges caused by regional hydrogeology changes. Once in place, they will greatly strengthen local fire response and ensure dependable water access in areas without hydrants.

“These wells are not a luxury, they are a necessity,” Harris said while testifying in support of his funding request during an appropriations subcommittee hearing 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 of the new wells would be capable of supplying 300 to 500 gallons of water per minute. They would be placed strategically throughout the community and on the perimeter to enable faster response time within Springfield Township and surrounding area.

Harris pointed out in his testimony that better protecting property and improving emergency response time will support the township’s strong ISO Class Three fire rating, which has the potential to reduce insurance costs.

In Harris’ request, he noted that the new wells would protect the historic Davisburg downtown area, which currently lacks a significant source of water for fire suppression. Improving firefighting capacity will help spur revitalization efforts, residential growth, and commercial investment.

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

VIDEO: State Rep. Mike Harris, R-Waterford, testifies in support of his request for the state to fund 10 high-capacity fire protection wells for Springfield Township (comments start at about the 42:25 mark)

Harris represents House District 52 in northern Oakland County. He previously served 26 years as a police officer, including 25 years with the Waterford Police Department.