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PERRY TOWNSHIP -- Township voters declined the proposal for a new 1.5-mill property tax levy in support of the police department in Tuesday's General Election.
According to final but unofficial results, the levy failed by a vote of 944 (52.27%) to 862 (47.73%).
The levy would have had a five-year collection period beginning in tax year 2027 and continuing through tax year 2032. The levy would have generated approximately $222,295 for the police department annually 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 have paid twice that amount.
Levy funds would have been used to cover the police department's operating and equipment expenses amid ongoing inflation and wage increases over the last few years. Township officials have said that the police levy already on the books is more than 30 years old and generates revenue based on the lower property values from that time, which is insufficient to meet the department's expenses today. For the last several years the township had been making up the shortfall using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money which has since been exhausted, requiring the township to instead supplement the police budget with money from the general fund.
In 2026, the township has supplemented the police fund with $125,000 from the general fund.
Trustee Tony Ieropoli said that he was sad to see the levy fail, and that the township would likely need to place the levy on the ballot again in spring. He also said that he knew many residents were unhappy with recent annexations of property from the township into the city of Salem and that he felt that may have impacted their decision not to support the levy.
"I think it's a shame because we have a great police department right now and I'd hate to lose anyone. We'll have to put it back on the ballot and see if residents will reconsider. If not, we'll have to take a look at our options and see if there's anything else we can do," Ieropoli said.
Ieropoli also noted that if the worst occurred and the township was unable to continue funding the department, that Perry Township residents would be forced to rely on Columbiana County for police service.