AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Austintown’s budget will be tight after 52 percent of voters said no to a $2.4 million continuous police levy. Now money spent elsewhere could be needed to support the police.
Austintown Trustee Robert Santos began Monday’s trustee meeting with a commitment to safety along with the reality of the failed police levy.
“We will strive to maintain the quality of services that our residents are accustomed to and deserve. However, given our budget situation, some changes will be necessary,” Santos said.
But it was Trustee Bruce Shepas who later addressed what the levy failure means and how it could affect the township’s government as a whole.
“And if that means pulling from the general fund, and it does shortfall other departments along the way, that’s what we’ll have to do to continue to keep the services that you deserve from our police department consistent in the way we do it today,” Shepas said.
With the police department a priority, the trustees say the money will come from the road paving program. After the county’s one-quarter percent sales tax for road work expires in 2027 — if it’s not renewed — money budgeted by the trustees for paving will likely be needed for police.
The police, meanwhile, will get no new vehicles, technology, or hires.
“We’re committed to continue to serve and protect our community and we’ll explore all options and assure Austintown remains a great place to live,” said Trustee Monica Deavers.
Failure of the levy came one year after Austintown voters approved a $3 million continuous levy to support the fire department. The fire levy passed with 56 percent voting yes.
