ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP — Voters Tuesday rejected the St. Clair Township police additional levy.

Of the 5,352 registered voters in the township, 1,216 voters determined the fate of the St. Clair Police Department tax levy.

With 455 votes or 37.42% of the votes for the levy and 761 votes or 62.58% of the votes against the levy, the new 3-mill levy which Police Chief Brian McKenzie said was to maintain the services currently being provided by the police department failed.

McKenzie noted that the failed levy is going to result in a $481,000 spending deficit for the department and that deficit is going to be an issue for the department to navigate, but they will do the best that they can and be responsible for every dime that comes into their police levy.

McKenzie said he appreciates the support the department had, and he completely understands that everybody is fed up with property taxes, and he understands the no vote which he believes is going to push a lot of pressure to the legislators to figure out the problem.

“I get it; I’m tired of paying taxes myself, but until there is a solid resolution for this, that is what we have to go by,” McKenzie said. “It’s tough; it’s hard out there for everybody.”

He also said that he believes there is funding opportunities available, but he finds it frustrating that the department is always applying for grants to purchase equipment and is constantly denied the grants because the majority of the money goes to the big cities.

“All of my officers will continue to provide the best service that our residents and visitors are accustomed to for as long as we can,” McKenzie said.

He also noted that he believes there is a misconception that the police department gets any gain from the Columbiana County sales tax, which he said the department absolutely does not get any gain from as far as officers’ salary or equipment funding.

McKenzie doesn’t know if they will try to put the levy back on in a future election and that right now it’s just going to be waiting to see what happens in the State House and what the people in power have to say about how this is going to play out and he respects everybody and respects their vote and he gets it and understands it.

“I appreciate everybody; I love our community, and we will go back and continue to do what we can do for as long as we can do it,” McKenzie said. “We will continue to keep doing the best that can like we always have for our community.”

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com