MIAMI TWP. -- Election day is next Tuesday and the Miami Township Police Department will have a 5.25 mill levy on the ballot, also known as Issue #8.
"One of the things that I've said to the staff for the 16 years that I've been here is probably the worse things I would ever have to do is lay people off," said Chief John Krug, with Miami Township Police.
However, that fear could be a reality, if the 5.25 mill levy fails next Tuesday.
"I would suspect that there will be some initial layoffs if this doesn't pass," said Chief Krug.
Of the 41 current staff, half would be laid off. Krug said if the police levy is not approved response time will increase significantly, police visibility in the community will decrease significantly and we'll probably be in the position where we need to reduce the number of services. So the department is making its final plea with billboards, yard signs, anything that may get them a vote.
The police department had a 5.00 mill levy on the ballot in November 2012, but that did not pass.
"When that levy expired half of our funding source was eliminated," said Chief Krug.
Chief Krug says while most crime has gone down 10 percent in the area, there has been an increase in drug activity. Residents there strongly remember a federal drug bust in April at the Beverage Palace, that ended in a FBI involved shooting.
"I mean if crime increasing and cops are going to lose their jobs then whose going to keep us safe?," said Brandon Sceifert, who works and shops in Miami Township.
The current funding source for the Miami Township Police Department is a 4.0 mill levy that generates a little more than half of the revenue needed to fund police department operations. Krug said approximately 72 percent of the police department budge is for personnel costs, 28 percent of the budge for fixed costs.
Business owners in Miami Township, like Rhonda Miller, who owns Health Foods Unlimited would like to see it passed.
Miller said the police patrol the parking lots throughout the day and make her customers feel safe.
"Especially at night when it's dark so we feel like it's very safe for the shoppers and our employees in the area as it stands now but if we were to lose half of the police force, I'm not sure if that will be the case," said Miller.
Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday. If the levy is successful, it will cost the owner of a $100,000 home an extra $160.00 per year.
Follow Reporter Annette Peagler on Twitter @Annette2245 for updates regarding this story and other breaking news.
"One of the things that I've said to the staff for the 16 years that I've been here is probably the worse things I would ever have to do is lay people off," said Chief John Krug, with Miami Township Police.
However, that fear could be a reality, if the 5.25 mill levy fails next Tuesday.
"I would suspect that there will be some initial layoffs if this doesn't pass," said Chief Krug.
Of the 41 current staff, half would be laid off. Krug said if the police levy is not approved response time will increase significantly, police visibility in the community will decrease significantly and we'll probably be in the position where we need to reduce the number of services. So the department is making its final plea with billboards, yard signs, anything that may get them a vote.
The police department had a 5.00 mill levy on the ballot in November 2012, but that did not pass.
"When that levy expired half of our funding source was eliminated," said Chief Krug.
Chief Krug says while most crime has gone down 10 percent in the area, there has been an increase in drug activity. Residents there strongly remember a federal drug bust in April at the Beverage Palace, that ended in a FBI involved shooting.
"I mean if crime increasing and cops are going to lose their jobs then whose going to keep us safe?," said Brandon Sceifert, who works and shops in Miami Township.
The current funding source for the Miami Township Police Department is a 4.0 mill levy that generates a little more than half of the revenue needed to fund police department operations. Krug said approximately 72 percent of the police department budge is for personnel costs, 28 percent of the budge for fixed costs.
Business owners in Miami Township, like Rhonda Miller, who owns Health Foods Unlimited would like to see it passed.
Miller said the police patrol the parking lots throughout the day and make her customers feel safe.
"Especially at night when it's dark so we feel like it's very safe for the shoppers and our employees in the area as it stands now but if we were to lose half of the police force, I'm not sure if that will be the case," said Miller.
Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday. If the levy is successful, it will cost the owner of a $100,000 home an extra $160.00 per year.
Follow Reporter Annette Peagler on Twitter @Annette2245 for updates regarding this story and other breaking news.
