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

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

I would like to ask your support for the upcoming Replacement Police Levy to be voted on in the November 2009 general election.

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."

Mrs. Luwanna Delaney, Green County Auditor, reported that a 2 mill replacement levy would generate an additional $89,000.00 for the police department at an additional cost to property owners of $9.69 per $100,000.00 assessed value.

The police department currently consists of 17 full time and 4 part time police officers, a police clerk and an administrative assistant. There are currently two police officer vacancies, one full and one part time position. The levy not only provides for their salaries but also a portion of the salaries of the Sugarcreek Township Emergency Communication’s Center staff that answers calls for service and dispatches emergency personnel. The levy also provides for the complete operation and maintenance of the police facility, vehicles, equipment and the cost of investigatory laboratory services.

Sugarcreek Township voters could possibly face a decision to change their existing form of government based on the merger study currently in progress. The Replacement Levy requested will adequately fund the Police Department at its current approved level of service until that decision is finalized and then the appropriate funding source can be determined for the future. This levy should be a positive vote for public safety, regardless of a person’s personal position on the merger question.

In closing, I would again request your support with a yes vote for Issue 20, the Replacement Police Levy. Please allow us to continue our service at the current level.

Gilbert A. Flick
Chief of Police
Sugarcreek Township Police Department

Back to Top ↑