Tax to keep police officers passes first of 3 readings

A new village park will be dedicated later this month.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- It's one reading down and two to go for a proposed safety levy headed for the November ballot.
Village council passed first reading of the levy at its regular meeting Wednesday. The tax measure is geared at retaining police officers. The 1-mill, five-year levy would generate about $57,500 annually.
Three readings typically occur before passage. To get on the November ballot, the legislation must be passed and submitted to the Mahoning County Board of Elections by Aug. 24.
Village officials have said the levy money would be used for police salaries and related expenses like the employer's contribution to police officers' retirement pension.
If placed on the ballot and approved by voters in November, the tax would take effect in 2007.
Reason for increase
Council members say the increase is to keep village police officers from leaving the village for departments in other communities where the pay is higher.
The department employs six full-time officers who earn $17.70 per hour or about $36,816 a year. The amount doesn't increase based on years of service. The department's nine part-time officers earn $11.85 per hour.
How the increase would be applied hasn't been determined, but village officials have said they are considering a tier system.
Councilman Bill Dunnavant said that he's spoken to many residents who initially opposed the idea of a safety levy, but when he explained the village is losing police officers to other departments, they changed their minds.
"They turned from totally negative to totally positive," he said.
Councilman Robert Limmer acknowledged that many people oppose any idea of a new tax, but he believes if the levy is explained well, people will see its value.
If approved, the levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $31.50 per year.
Other business
In other business, council members passed an honorary resolution for Peterson Park. The park, at the intersection of state Route 170 and U.S. Route 224, is to be dedicated in a July 22 ceremony.
The resolution commends Poland Town One Streetscapes and the Peterson and Scotford families for their efforts in the park's establishment and construction.