CHAMPION — Township voters are being asked to support a 1.6-mill, five-year additional levy on the May 6 primary ballot to generate funds for the police department.

Fiscal Officer Laurie Jo Miller said the levy, if passed, would generate $413,000 annually.

Police Chief Larry Skaggs said there are seven police officers and himself in the department, which often is not enough to cover shifts when people are off because of illness or vacation.

He said police wages in Champion are lower than most other departments, including those of comparable size and call volume, such as Brookfield and Weathersfield.

Skaggs said in 2024, the department had 6,335 calls for service and 2,600 traffic stops.

“Our officers are constantly busy,” he said.

He said with grants and donations, the department was able to get a police dog for the first time for drug searches

Skaggs said township police officers do not only handle calls to Champion schools, but also respond to Trumbull Career & Technical Center, Kent State University at Trumbull and Fairhaven, which are all in the township.

Miller said additional funds would help with increased expenses, which all police departments are facing.

“We are asking for a fair amount to help the police department get through the next five years,” she said.

The police department’s operating expenses in 2024 were just over $1 million.

TAX BREAKDOWN

Miller said Champion Township receives 17.8% of the annual real estate tax while the school district gets 61.5%. Miller said expenses in the police department have been exceeding the total revenue since 2021 by 25%.

She said the police department does have other levies totaling $823,707 that include a 1-mill levy passed in 1986 that generates $105,681 annually, a 2-mill continual levy passed in 2013 that generates $342,877, a 1.1-mill levy passed in 1991 that generates $120,139, a 0.5-mill levy from 1995 that generates $62,192 and a 1-mill in 2002 that generates $192,815.

Miller said those levies generate funds at the tax rates originally passed, so there has been no increase despite increased property values.

She said the department has been seeking available grants. Miller said the township received $175,000 in American Rescue Plan funds, which helped acquire things for the department such as mobile radios, body cameras and four bulletproof vests that would not have otherwise been possible.

Miller said the $54,000 expected to be left in the police budget at the end of the year will not sustain the department in 2026.

Skaggs said townships are not getting the state funding they used to, which helped support police, fire and road departments.

“There really aren’t any police grants right now, and none pay for officers and benefits, fuel for cars or maintenance,” he said

“We need either an increase in our revenue or a decrease in our expenses to help the department,” Miller said.

She said 82.5% of the police budget ($853,000) was for salaries and benefits. Miller said 12% is for purchases and services, with $34,887 paid for Trumbull County 911 services. Supplies and materials took up 3.5%.

Skaggs said all non-essentials in the department have been cut, including a secretary. He has been handling those duties.

Trustee Doug Emerine said if the levy does not pass, the officer who is retiring will not be replaced.

“We are at the bare bones now even if we cut all non-essentials. If we continue to cut officers, we will not have enough to run a police department,” Emerine said.

He said grants help, but officials cannot run a police department on grants.

“We need levy dollars because that is a sustainable income,” Emerine said.