Current police levy does not provide sufficient funds
Strasburg residents will be asked to approve a 3.7-mill, five-year additional police levy on the May 2 ballot. If voters approve the levy, it would generate about $282,917 annually. If the levy is approved, the current 1.5-mill, five-year levy passed in 1994 will no longer be collected, and funds will not be collected from the 3.7-mill, five-year levy until Jan. 1, 2024.
According to the Tuscarawas County auditor, the increase in property tax on a $100,000 house would be $129.50 annually.
The current 1.5-mill levy collected $50,635 in 2022. It is used to purchase cruisers, computer maintenance, office equipment and supplies. No police wages are paid from the 1.5-mill current levy. Police wages are paid from the general fund. The 2023 police budget is $435,000 annually.
Police Chief Dave Warrick has served as chief for the past five years. He was hired as a police officer in 2014.
“Our expenses have increased. Just the computer service, server and emails cost about $720 per month,” he said. “Gas for the cruisers costs about $15,000 a year. Our equipment is well maintained because of funds from the current levy. We were the first police department in the area to install body cameras, which is a great asset. Each body camera costs about $1,000, and we have 10 cameras available, documented and ready to be used. The body cameras offer a better opportunity for the police to be more transparent.
“We have two officers on the midnight shift. They check all businesses, patrol the village, Franklin Park, the service stations, along with other areas. I have always loved working in the village. The employees are treated very well by the village administrators, council and the community. This is a community of very hard-working people. I am invested in the community, and my children are enrolled in the school.”
Warrick said the police currently maintain four police cruisers. A 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe has been ordered to replace a 2013 Dodge Charger. The cost for the Tahoe is $55,681. It has basic equipment, and the radio, camera, internet, lights and gun rack will be transferred to the new cruiser.
“We are a 24/7 operation. We have six full-time police officers: Sgt. Brandon Warman, police officers Connor Bailey, Kayla Willer, Nathan Wood and Benjamin Robb. There are three part-time police officers: Housten Hale, Hunter Deuring and Ozzie Chaney. Steve Bunch serves as an auxiliary police officer,” Warrick said.
The police recently moved into the former village hall to expand operations and have additional working space. The village purchased the former Strasburg Savings Community Bank at 224 N. Bodmer Ave., which allowed expansion of the police department located at 358 Fifth St. SW.
Warman has been a police officer in the village for five years.
“We want to provide the best security for the community. We need equipment for safety to do our job,” Warman said. “The village officials are supportive and respectful to us.”
Mayor Steve Smith said the current levy does not provide sufficient funds to operate the police department.
“We want to improve the services to residents and what the community expects from our police. It is difficult to offer quality service with the current levy. With the advanced technology that is needed, a new levy will help improve service. Our police need to move forward,” Smith said.
The public is invited to attend a question-and-answer session concerning the 3.7 mill, five-year police levy April 24 at 6 p.m. at village hall, 224 N. Bodmer Ave.
