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Champion takes first step to place police levy on May ballot

CHAMPION — Township trustees at a special meeting Monday took the first step to place a 1.6-mill police levy on the May 6 primary ballot for day-to-day needs of the department.

Trustee Doug Emerine said the costs of the police department have gone up because of state mandates as well as costs for fuel and other items. Emerine said trustees will have another special meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 to give second reading for the levy.

“Passage of the levy will help us maintain what we have in the police department,” Emerine said.

The deadline to get an issue on the ballot is Feb. 5.

Officials said if the levy does not pass, there will be a need for cost cutting measures such as layoffs.

Trustee Rick York said previously that officials know the police department has done what it can to live within its budget, but operating expenses and equipment costs have been increasing.

Fiscal Officer Laurie Jo Miller since taking office last spring has watched the township’s finances and budgets closely.

Residents in November rejected a 5.5-mill, five-year safety forces levy that would have generated $1.06 million annually to benefit the fire and police departments.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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