SEBRING — Village voters in November will be asked to decide the fate of additional 2-mill, five-year levies for both the police department and parks, and a 1-mill, five-year renewal levy for recreation.

Last year, they rejected additional levies for police and the parks, but approved new money for the fire department and a renewal for recreation. Sebring, the largest village in Mahoning County, was incorporated in 1899 and has about 4,500 residents.

Police Chief Ray Harris said the department, in its 125 years, has not had a levy to help fund the department or its dispatch center.

The department operates on what the village’s general fund allows, he said, adding that a measure on the ballot last year lost by just eight votes.

Harris said he believes voters support the police department, but other levies may have been too much to ask for at one time.

The average age of Sebring residents is 55, Harris said, explaining the older population is nearing retirement age and may be worried about finances in a tough economy. The department has the only 911 call center in southwestern Mahoning County and dispatches for two police and three fire departments.

Full-time employees include Harris, a sergeant, five patrol officers and a school resource officer. The department also employs one part-time officer.

The county auditor has said the two mills would generate $148,000 annually and cost residents with a $100,000 home about $70 a year, or roughly $5 per month.

Harris said Sebring officers’ salaries are among the lowest, if not the lowest, in the county, and the ability to offer a competitive wage is key to retaining and recruiting personnel. The money would be used to increase salaries, hire a new officer, create senior watch and community awareness programs, fund advanced training and retain the local dispatch center, Harris said.

In addition, it will allow the department to create a juvenile intervention program for troubled youth and provide an officer twice a month for the Mahoning County Drug Task Force.

The future of the department depends on the outcome of the vote, Harris said, but explained that residents have been asking for signs to place in their yard.

“They’ve been very receptive about it,” he said. “I have a good feeling.”

Voters also will decide the fate of a two-mill, five-year additional levy for parks that also would generate $148,000 a year and cost residents with a $100,000 home $70 per year.

The money would go toward maintenance and upgrades to Northside and Southside parks.

In an email, Village Manager Tim Gabrelcik said the money will allow the parks board to explore improvements, including pickle ball courts, widening of the walking path at Southside Park, and the addition of new playground equipment and repairs for the pool, pavilion and at the Civic Center gymnasium.

The board also would be able to add more summer programming in the parks if the measure is approved, Gabrelcik said.

Improvements and enhancements to park facilities will be minimal if the levy fails, he added.

Joe Amabeli, chairman of the parks and recreation board and lifelong Sebring resident, said he understands why voters may be hesitant in this economy to pass new levies.

“I get it … I pay taxes too,” he said. “No one wants to pay more taxes.”

The cost to voters is minimal, he explained, and without the additional money, it will be hard to pay for needed upgrades and maintenance.

“We’re stagnant,” he said. “We can’t afford to do some of the things we really want to do.”