Girard police mull asking for 3-mill levy

Police would have to come up with $8,000 for a special February ballot.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Police are considering asking city council to place a police levy on a special Feb. 8 ballot, a union official says.
"We're encouraged that a lot of people supported us," Detective John Norman, a representative of the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, said Friday.
During the Nov. 2 general election, voters rejected a 3-mill police levy by only 152 votes. At the same time, they approved a 3-mill levy to help support firefighters.
"We're not opposed to the idea," Norman said of the special election, noting police will meet to make a final decision.
Norman said police were encouraged by the results, especially because the campaign was late in getting off the ground.
Ballot deadline
Norma Williams, director of the Trumbull County Board of Elections, said the deadline for placing an issue on the Feb. 8 ballot is Nov. 29.
The cost is between $550 and $600 per precinct, Williams said. With 14 precincts in the city, it will cost $7,700 to $8,400 to place the issue on the ballot.
In addition to the cost of balloting, the union will also have to spend money to replace campaign signs damaged during the Nov. 2 campaign.
Norman said the union will be able to come up with the money to put on a second campaign. "We could have it. It would be tight," he said.
Councilman Joseph Christopher, D-at-large, said he has discussed the matter with other council members, and said council won't refuse to place the issue on the ballot again -- although it will probably call for a special meeting to approve it.
What it would generate
Christopher pointed out that the issue would generate about $350,000 annually if it receives voter approval -- and it failed by such a small margin.
The February ballot is being considered because the board of education is likely to place a bond issue on the May 2005 primary ballot to fund its portion of a $22 million new high school project, Mayor James J. Melfi said.
The Ohio School Facilities Commission has pledged $17 million to the cost, with the board required to come up with the balance.
yovich@vindy.com