Girard council decides to put 2 levies on ballot for safety forces

GIRARD -- City council has agreed to place two 3-mill levies on the Nov. 2 general election ballot to support the police and fire departments.
Lawmakers unanimously agreed during a special Wednesday meeting to present the two five-year levies to voters rather than a proposed one 6-mill safety forces levy.
The two issues will generate about $3.8 million over the five years through the increase in property taxes.
Councilman Frank Migliozzi, D-1st, chairman of the health and safety committee, said that Law Director Mark Standohar suggested the two levies appear on the ballot.
Standohar said revenue from one safety forces issue must come from an income-tax increase. Property taxes could be raised to increase revenue for the departments if there were separated.
Migliozzi said Standohar made the determination after added research and discussions with the county auditor's office.
Uses for money
If approved by voters, one mill from each levy would be used to pay workers' compensation premiums and 2 mills for salaries and benefits. It is not enough revenue to bring back the city ambulance service that was operated by the fire department.
Migliozzi said the levies would provide funds for current staffing and operations.
The city has been in state-imposed fiscal emergency since August 2001. It has an accumulated general fund deficit of about $1.6 million.