Liberty officials to put 911 issue on ballot

LIBERTY — Township officials looked at several ways to operate 911 emergency call service here and are asking residents to weigh in at the ballot box.

Township trustees will be placing a 1.25-mill, five-year renewable operations levy to cover 911 emergency call expenses on the November ballot. The levy will cost a homeowner with a $100,000 home about $45 annually.

The township has been operating its own 911 call service for the past 10 years, but township Administrator Pat Ungaro said other options are being explored after a recommendation by the state.

“The state auditor’s office recommended that we either go to the county’s 911 service, work with Girard and their 911 service or put the issue on the ballot — because if not, it’s going to be a drain on our budget,” he said.

The township spends about $290,000 annually to operate the 911 emergency call service. About $190,000 of the total cost of the system is funded out of the police department’s budget. The rest of the money comes from the township’s general fund and the fire department fund.

Ungaro said the township spoke with officials in Girard and offered to provide 911 services to the city for $100,000 annually. That offer, however, was rejected.

Girard Mayor James Melfi said joining forces with Liberty or any other entity is not attractive to Girard because the city has a proven system that works and is not a financial drain on the city’s budget. Girard also operates its own 911 service separate from the county.

Melfi said joining forces leaves room for gaps in service because the police station would not be manned as it currently is.

For complete story, see Monday's Vindicator or www.vindy.com.