Thursday, August 19, 1999
New levy for police on ballot
This time, Clearcreek asking less
BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
CLEARCREEK TOWNSHIP — Township leaders this November will find themselves in a familiar spot: watching the fate of yet another tax levy for their strapped police department.
On Wednesday, a day before the filing deadline, township trustees agreed to place an additional 1.5-mill tax levy on the November ballot.
The issue, if approved, would raise about $322,000 a year for the police department. That would be added to the annual $750,000 two existing levies provide.
Voters have not been kind to the township's recent requests for money for police. A 6-mill levy failed earlier this month, and the same levy plus an additional 1.8-mill levy were defeated in November.
“After this one, there will be some hard choices,” said Trustee Ed Wade. “We just have to be real positive and say it's going to pass. We've cut it back some.”
Several residents in favor of the levy attended Wednesday's special trustee meeting.
“We're putting ourselves in jeopardy if we don't (pass the levy),” said Norm Kniess, an 11-year township resident. “I find it hard to believe that the last one didn't pass.”
The levy defeats have left the northern Warren County township of 9,500 with an annual police budget of $750,000. Officials have said that may not be enough to operate the current department, especially now that federal grants are expiring or have expired.
If this next levy attempt fails, it would leave officials with some tough choices — including cutting services, laying off officers or disbanding the township department and contracting with the Warren County sheriff for exclusive police protection.
Officials have not ruled out trying for another levy should the November issue be defeated, Mr. Wade said.
With at least two existing vacancies and one full-time officer on sick leave, the department is working with a skeleton staff, acting Chief Tony Scott said earlier this month.
“If the facts are put out there and people understand the facts, it's a no-brainer that you would do this,” Mr. Kniess said.
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