Vote for Sugarcreek Township Levy Issue 20. It would be a crime not to.

You've said:

Learn More About Issue 20: An Open Letter to Sugarcreek Township Voters

Chief Gilbert A. Flick

The original levy was passed in 1990 and renewed in 1994 and 1999. It was replaced in 2004. The revenue generated from this levy was based on the tax values of property as they were assessed in 2004 and generates approximately the same funding as it did when originally passed in 2004. As new homes and businesses were built, the individual tax burden of the original property owners decreased as the new property owners were assessed their share of the approved amount of tax to be collected.

Additionally, the funding available to the police department has decreased over the last year. Mr. Ted Hodson, Sugarcreek Township Chief Financial Officer, advised that several of the income sources dedicated to the police department have decreased with the faltering economy. The total funding for 2009 is projected to be approximately $100,000.00 less than that collected in 2008. Mr. Hodson also reported that the police department's "expenditures have been reasonably matching our income over the last several years." READ MORE ...

A History of Township Government and Levies

Township government is one of the oldest and most fundamental forms of government we have in the United States. Going back to colonial times, large tracts of land were set aside to provide a cornerstone of an example of local, small self-governance through a board of trustees and a small administrative support system. Taxes voted on via a levy created a form of taxation fostered by our forefathers desire for taxation with representation.

Thus, townships and their levy voting system ensures that voice of representation. A particularly inherent and unique feature of township government and its approach to taxation is that as new property owners come into play, whether residential or business, the individual tax burden on existing property owners is lessened as the new property owners take up their respective share of taxes. There’s not a lot of fat or pork barreling to be had when this type of system is properly executed and monitored.

When you vote YES on an important issue like the Replacement Police Levy/Issue 20, you can rest assured that township government and its unique tax levy form of bringing in necessary dollars to run our police department is indeed appropriate taxation with representation.

Back to Top ↑

Positive Outcomes from Sugarcreek Police

Here’s a sampling of Sugarcreek Police activities and statistics, comparing 2009 to 2009. This information has been annualized, and has not been audited.

5 Key Areas of improvement for Sugarcreek Police in 2009 (year to date):

1. Citizen calls down by 73%
2. Officer generated calls up by 73%
3. Non-injury crashes down by 16.7%
4. Injury crashes down by 65%
5. Overall crashes down by 22%

Proactive law enforcement, coupled with community policing instituted under Chief Gil Flick, contribute to these positive outcomes.

A Message for Parents