Austintown putting police levy on ballot in November

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The Austintown Board of Trustees decided Monday night to ask voters for more money to keep their police department running smoothly.

There will be a police levy on the November ballot in Austintown.

In a unanimous decision, the trustees approved a 2.4-mill levy that would generate between $2.2 and $2.3 million per year.

If passed, the levy would cost property owners about $84 a year per $100,000 property evaluation.

Township officials say the police department needs the money to be able to maintain the work they are doing now and keep up with inflation.

“We’re faced with the same inflation that everybody else is. Everybody’s bringing home less money in their paychecks because of property taxes and we totally understand that,” Police Chief Bob Gavalier said.

If this levy isn’t approved by voters, Gavalier says they won’t cut back on service but it will make operating difficult. They’re already down four officers because the department doesn’t have enough money.

“We haven’t replaced them, so if an officer retires or leaves, we probably won’t replace them to try to stay within budget,” Gavalier said.

Only one resident stood up to comment at Monday’s meeting, saying taxes in Austintown are getting out of control and this additional tax would be tough for many people, especially seniors, to afford.

“We’re going to go out and ask the public to support the levy and if they don’t because they can’t afford it, totally understand that. We’ll continue to do what we can with what we have,” Gavalier said.

The last police levy in Austintown was passed in 2018.

“With the historic inflation that we’ve all faced, that levy is reaching its natural endpoint,” said Mark D’Apolito, township administrator.

“Ultimately, it’s up to you. It’s up to the residents. You guys will decide, not me, not us,” said trustee Bruce Shepas.

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