Q. Just what is a Replacement Levy?
A. A Replacement Levy replaces an already existing levy and if passed, will bring in additional money, since it is based on current appraisals. This 5-year levy for 1.9 mil would replace a 2-year 1.9 levy that was originally passed in 1987.
Q. How much am I already paying for the police department?
A. The owner of a $100,000 home currently pays $146.00/yr for all police levies combined.
Q. How much more would I pay if the levy passes?
A. The owner of a $100,000 home would be taxed an additional $32.22 a year.
Q. When was the last time the police department received additional tax money?
A. A replacement levy passed in 2003 was the last increase
Q. Why then am I voting on a police levy every 2 years?
A. You have been voting for renewal of the 2-year $1.9 mil levy which appears on the ballot every 2 years. This levy only brings in the same amount of money as when it was originally passed in 1987 and does not result in a tax increase.
Q. If the levy passes when will you be back asking for more money?
A. If passed, the replacement levy would last 5 years at the end of which time it could be renewed.
Q. What will happen if this levy fails?
A. The police department would loose approx. 17% of it's funding, resulting in projected layoffs of 5 officers.
Q. How many Police Officers do we currently have?
A. We currently have 16 full time officers. We currently run with a 2-man minimum per shift, except on Friday and Saturday evening(s), where we staff a mandatory 3-man minimum. These officers cover an area that is approximately 40 square miles.
Q. How do we compare to other communities?
A. The average number of officers per resident in the State of Ohio is 2.14 officers per 1000 residents. We are more than 50% below the state average with less than 1 officer per 1000 residents. (The F.B.I. recommends that communities have one officer per every 750 residents)