TRUMBULL COUNTY Howland police, fire departments get a double blessing from voters

Only one of Trumbull County's local government issues was defeated.
WARREN -- Howland Township voters decided it's worth paying a little more each year to keep up their police and fire departments.
That's according to unofficial results from Tuesday's primary released by the Trumbull County Board of Elections.
They will pay an additional $87.50 annually per $100,000 home for both levies -- "less than a cup of coffee a day," said Fire Chief George Brown.
It had been about 17 years since the fire and police departments went to the voters for more money: 1987 for police and 1988 for fire.
"I think the police and fire departments have both shown that they're dedicated to the community, and the community rewarded us tonight," Brown said. "A lot of people moved to Howland because of the reputation [of its safety services] and they want to keep it that way. They made an investment, and they want to protect that investment."
Howland Township passed a 3.5-mill levy -- replacing 1.5-mill and 2-mill levies -- to provide and maintain fire protection for a continuing period.
Other levies
Voters also backed the 2.5-mill replacement levy of 1-mill and 1.5-mill levies for police equipment and personnel for a continuing period.
The police levy will generate $520,000 annually, and the fire levy will bring in $596,000 a year.
Both departments had cut back on hours for part-time staff, and police overtime was trimmed. The replacement levies are to bring the taxes in line with the township's property valuation, which has increased in recent years, Brown said.
Elsewhere
Champion Township voters gave solid support to a 0.5-mill, five-year renewal levy for police.
Voters in Vienna Township approved a replacement levy: a 1-mill, five-year deal. This is for general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repair of streets, roads and bridges.
Newton Township's voters, however, defeated the 1.75-mill levy for police. This also was a replacement levy, for a continuing period.