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PERRY TOWNSHIP -- Township voters will be presented with the question of a new 1.5-mill levy in support of the police department in the upcoming General Election Nov. 3.
"I think township residents are happy with having our police services, and we want to continue being able to offer the same services that we have in the past. This [levy] will allow us to do that," Trustee Chair Steve Bailey said.
During its July 27 meeting, the board of trustees voted unanimously to present township residents with the proposal for an additional 1.5 mills property tax levy for the police department on Nov. 3. The proposed levy has a five-year collection period beginning in tax year 2026 and continuing through tax year 2030. I
f approved by voters in November, the levy is projected to generate approximately $222,295 annually for the police department at a cost to residents of $53 for each $100,000 of assessed property valuation, meaning the owner of a home valued at $200,000 would pay twice that amount.
Township officials say that the levy is necessary to meet the police department's operating and equipment expenses amid ongoing inflation and wage increases over the last few years.
Trustee Tony Ieropoli said that the township's existing police levy is more than 30 years old and generates revenue based on the lower property values from that time, which is insufficient to meet rising expenses. Fiscal Officer John Volio said that the cost of a single cruiser has increased by $25,000 to $40,000 since then.
Bailey said that for the past several years the township had been making up the shortfall using ARP money, but now that it has been exhausted, Perry Township has instead been forced to supplement the police budget with money from the general fund.
"If the levy doesn't pass, we'd have to continue depleting the general fund and hopefully try again in the spring. This year we've already supplemented the police fund $125,000 from the general fund," Bailey said.
Bailey also said the trustees were trying not to reach the point where the township is forced to consider cutting staff as the police department currently has five full-time officers and four part-time officers. He said that with less than five full-time officers, the department would be unable to provide 24/7 police protection for township residents.