Trending
PERRY TOWNSHIP -- Perry Township voters will be presented with the question of a new levy for the police department in November.
During its meeting Monday, the board of trustees unanimously approved a resolution to place a new 1.5-mill property tax levy for the police department on the ballot in the upcoming November election. The proposed levy has a five-year collection period beginning in tax year 2026 and continuing through tax year 2030.
If approved by voters in November, the levy is projected to generate $222,295 for the department annually and would cost voters $53 for each $100,000 of assessed property valuation, meaning the owner of a home valued at $200,000 would pay twice that amount.
Trustees Tony Ieropoli and Russ Sinsley said that the township's existing police levy dates back more than 30 years and its collection rate is based on the lower property values from that time. They argued that with 30 years of inflation since then, including the extreme inflation of the last few years, that levy was no longer sufficient to fund the department.
"The old ones are over 30 years old and don't generate enough money for today's prices. Wages are $10-plus more per hour than they were back then. The cost of vehicles is $30,000 to $40,000 more. Equipment is more for radios and things like that," Ieropoli.
The trustees also voted unanimously to approve a $23,862.97 payment to the Columbiana County Engineer's Office for the department's annual paving program. Ieropoli said that paving for this year is scheduled to be conducted at the end of August, weather permitting, and will include Jones Drive, West Perry Street, Elberon Avenue and Andrew Avenue.
Other matters approved included a $3,715.89 quote for repairs to engine 72's fuel pump
During his report, Ieropoli said that the house at 1015 Liberty St. is slated to be demolished in the second week of August, and that the township would be reimbursed for the approximately $9,000 cost of demolition and asbestos removal through a grant.
The board of trustees will meet next at 4 p.m. on Aug. 10.