The state budget includes $900,000 for Springfield Township to install 10 high-capacity fire protection wells.

These new wells will replace aging, less reliable private wells that are failing due to regional hydrogeology changes. Once in place, the new wells will improve local fire response time and ensure dependable water access in areas not connected to a municipal water system.

State Rep. Mike Harris, R-Waterford, made the funding request and worked to get it included in the final state budget. That was no small feat in a year when legislative earmarks were sharply reduced. Working with Springfield Twp. Fire Chief Matt Covey, Harris successfully made the case that the wells are critical to public safety and community growth.

“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.”

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)

Each of the new wells will be capable of supplying 300 to 500 gallons of water per minute. They will be strategically placed throughout the community and on the perimeter to enable faster response time within Springfield Township and surrounding areas. All 10 wells should be operational by fall 2026.

Harris pointed out in his testimony that 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 also 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, he argued.

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

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.

Highlights of the FY 2025-2026 state budget:

• Nearly $2 billion for roads, including local roads
  • All gas taxes paid at the pump will now go to roads, which is a major change
• The elimination of taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security
• Record-high funding for education
  • Funding went from $9,608 per student to $10,050 per student, which is a $442 increase (a 4.6% increase)
• Funding for universal school breakfast and lunch (including for private school students)
• $321 million to restore funding for school safety and mental health (which includes private schools too)
• The elimination of more than 2,000 “ghost employees,” saving more than $200 million
• An agreement to make earmark transparency permanent
• $26 million for Selfridge Air National Guard Base to prepare for and support the new fighter mission
• The overall budget is smaller than last year
  • FY 2024-2025 was about $82.5 billion; FY 2025-2026 is just under $81 billion.

• The budget includes an agreement to improve Bridge Card security to prevent fraud
• $95 million for the new Public Safety Trust Fund, which will target high-crime areas
• 20% salary increase for MSP troopers
• An agreement to consolidate and eliminate unneeded office space in state buildings to get to an 80% occupancy rate, which is the private sector standard
• $14 million to help northern Michigan recover from an ice storm earlier this year and draw down federal disaster recovery funds
• No hunting/ fishing/ boating/ recreation fee increases