28-03-2025
Champion holds meeting on police levy
CHAMPION, Ohio (WKBN) — Champion Township held an informational meeting for voters Thursday night, explaining why they need a 1.6 mill additional levy on the ballot.
Champion police are in a difficult situation. Their expenses have exceeded tax revenue every year since 2021.
'Times are very tough right now and honestly, we've cut all the expenses we can,' said Police Chief Larry Skaggs.
The department has put a levy on the May ballot, which is 1.6 mills for 5 years. It would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $56 per year and generate $413,000 a year for the department.
'Without this levy, it's bad. We've eliminated all clerical positions ahead of time. It's so bad now, we don't even, I'll be honest with you, I buy the toilet paper and cleaning supplies,' Chief Skaggs said.
Last year's operating expenses were just over $1,044,000 and 82 percent of those costs are people. Champion had eight officers on staff in 2022 but over 6,400 service calls, which is more than surrounding departments, including Cortland, Bazetta and Weathersfield, who have just as many officers on staff — if not more.
'We've tried to have a unified vision and just explain to the township voters just how bad it has got. None of us like to pay any more taxes and that's why they're trying to be reasonable on this amount, is just to try to offset some of these problems that we're having,' Skaggs said.
The department has continued to receive grants and donations for body-worn cameras, the department's K-9 and bulletproof vests, and has used ARPA funds on one-time purchases like police vehicles, but Chief Skaggs says they can't rely on grants and they're down to the wire.
'I can't reiterate enough — there is no fat on the bone. The next thing, unfortunately, is this is our biggest expense and that's officers. And that's counter to what we're trying to do is provide a service to our community, response times,' said Skaggs.
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