Township residents approve police levy

March 9, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

Township trustees praised residents for approving a police levy that they say will help maintain safety- enforcement services.

Austintown voters approved a 2-mill levy that will raise about $1.17 million annually for five years. The levy replaces a 1.6-mill police levy originally approved by voters in 1976. That levy is collecting only about $357,000 annually, or 38 percent of its original valuation.

The additional 0.4 mills will generate about $794,000 annually and bring the levy back up to today’s valuation. The owner of a $100,000 home will pay an additional $48 per year.

Trustee David Ditzler said as far as township levies go, this one was of the utmost importance.

“This was probably the most important election in Austintown to date,” he said. “It was so important to ensure our ability to maintain our safety forces.”

The levy was approved with 52.84 percent of residents voting yes.

The police department received $600,000 in 2011 from the township’s general fund.

Police Chief Bob Gavalier previously said that amount will be significantly less in 2012 because of budget cuts from the state.

“This levy will mainly help us offset those funding cuts and keep us where we’re at now,” he said.

Gavalier said the department now has 36 full-time officers, nine fewer than at its peak in 2001.

He said the funding also will help to maintain current staffing levels by allowing him to fill positions when several officers retire over the next few years.

Ditzler and Trustee Jim Davis both said they’re not surprised by the results.

“This is an indication of the job that our police department has done over the years,” he said. “Our residents know the job our safety enforcement officials do.”