Thursday, October 22, 2015
BOARDMAN
Voters are not being asked for any new tax dollars from the township this year, but they will see four levy-renewal proposals from township entities on the November ballot.
The police department and Boardman Park each have one levy renewal on the ballot; the school district has two.
The township is asking voters for a five-year renewal of the 3.85-mill police department levy originally approved in 2011 and which generates $3.4 million annually.
“[The levy] was a direct result of the community outcry for more police services,” said township Administrator Jason Loree. Since the levy passed, the department brought back a juvenile-diversion program, started a senior check-in program and added about 15 employees.
“It goes to exactly what elected officials promised it would,” Loree said. Levy revenue goes toward employee salaries, training and equipment, he added.
Police Chief Jack Nichols stressed the importance of the renewal.
“It’s almost half of the budget for the police department, so obviously if it didn’t pass we would be in crisis mode,” he said. “But Boardman voters have always stepped up with the renewals for existing levies. ... This basically keeps the police department running.”
Boardman Park is seeking a five-year renewal of a 0.6-mill operating levy originally approved in 1980 and which generates $541,725 per year. It represents about 45 percent of the park’s operating budget.
Dan Slagle, park executive director, highlighted the park’s operating efficiency.
“People have to know how long we have been operating on two voted levies. That speaks volumes about how prudent we are with our money,” he said.
“If you look back historically, in 1948 the park started with a 1-mill levy. Today, 67 years later, we continue to preserve the park with the equivalent of 1 mill,” he added.
Slagle also highlighted the park’s ability to operate on two voted levies while facing increases in operating costs and reductions in funding from the state.
The school district is seeking five-year renewals for a 5.9-mill emergency operating levy and a 6-mill emergency operating levy.
The 5.9-mill levy originally was approved in 1996 and generates $3,905,538 annually. The 6-mill levy passed in 1991 and generates $3,274,834 per year, according to information provided by the district Treasurer L. Greg Slemons.
“It’s a current revenue stream for the day-to-day operations. If it’s not renewed, we have to make some administrative decisions, because that’s a revenue stream that would dry up,” Slemons said.