Poland voters to consider levy renewals

October 19, 2016 at 12:02a.m.

POLAND

The village and township each have one levy up for renewal on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The village is asking voters for a five-year renewal of a 1-mill police levy first passed in 2006 that generates $57,233 annually.

Those funds are part of the police department’s total budget of $480,140. The village police department employs four full-time officers and has 10 part-time officers on staff.

Village Councilwoman Linda Srnec said passage of the renewal is important, and that the village keeps a close eye on personnel expenses.

“We haven’t given any salary increases. We’re not one of those entities that can afford to do that on a yearly basis,” she said.

Full-time officers make $19 an hour for their first five years on the job. Between years 6-10, full-time officers make $20 per hour, and officers who work there longer than 10 years make $21 an hour.

Part-time officers make $14 per hour.

Srnec said Poland voters have been supportive of renewals in the past.

“We’ve had pretty good luck with it, and I think the people appreciate the way we try to watch for speeding,” she said. “We try to be on top of things before they happen, and I think for the most part, they do a really great job.”

The township is asking voters for a five-year renewal of a 2-mill roads and bridges levy first approved in 1977 that generates $204,232 per year.

Township Fiscal Officer Paul Cantor said renewal of the levy is important because the funds allow the township to maintain its infrastructure.

Money from the levy will help fund a 2015 township initiative to spend $1 million on road resurfacing over a three-year period.

The township employs five full-time road workers and hires seasonal help as needed.