Thursday, August 9, 2001
The township hasn't asked for a raise in taxes for 10 years.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Township trustees have agreed to place a 1.75-mill police operating levy on the November general election ballot.
The issue, approved unanimously Wednesday, would generate $150,000 annually for three years.
Trustee Howard Bradley said the millage will result in the annual collection of $160,000, but $10,000 goes to the county auditor's office to cover its expenses.
This will be the first time in 10 years voters are being asked to increase township taxes.
School levies: Bradley said school officials want trustees to delay the levy request because it will be in competition with school levies on the November ballot.
The school district is asking voters to approve a 6.4-mill renewal levy and 5.5-mill additional issue.
"We ought to take our chances" in November, commented Trustee Joseph Gleydura, noting that if the school levies fail, the school board will put them on the May 2002 primary ballot.
Trustees said the police department has nine full-time officers, supplemented by a reserve force.
Seventy-five percent of the salaries of four full-time officers have been paid by federal grants since 1995. The grants expire next year.
Bradley said that 75 percent translates to $150,000 per year, not including overtime.
Hanley said the township can't afford to keep all four officers whose salaries are federally subsidized.
Cruisers: Police Chief Todd Coonce also pointed out that three cruisers have more than 170,000 miles on them and will likely need to be replaced.
Trustees agreed to ask the township planning and zoning commission to review zoning regulations dealing with flying of flags and pennants as business advertising.
Trustees decided to seek the review after receiving a petition from township businessmen complaining that they are prohibited from doing so.
Bradley said zoning regulation prohibits advertising that moves.
He noted that it appears such advertising is common in business. At the same time, the township wants to make sure flags are maintained and not tattered.
911 fee: Trustees will ask the Trumbull County 911 board to eliminate automatic annual cost-of-living increases for service.
Bradley said 911 increases its fee charged to member communities, but because it is being operated efficiently, it doesn't always need the money and the surplus is returned to the county coffers.
Trustees said they don't want the automatic increases but rather rate increases when needed.