To the Residents of Butler Township:
For the past ten or more years, the trustees have been subsidizing police operations from the general fund; the last five years at an ever increasing rate. This past year, $270,000 was transferred even after three positions were reduced. In 2012, the Township will have to transfer $300,000. This level of subsidy can only be handled by the General Fund until 2014. In 2015, due to state and federal cuts, the Trustees will have to reduce the number of police officers by an additional 5 to 6 positions which is over half of the remaining officers. This would reduce the number of officers on duty from 2 to 1 each shift which is down from 3 in 2010. The trustees are continually looking at ways to increase revenue and reduce costs. Since the police department is about as lean an operation as you’re going to find, there really isn’t any place to cut, except in the area of service delivery. The only way the township can continue to meet growing demands is to place an additional 3.0 mill policy levy on the ballot.
So what created a $300,000 deficit in the police department? The main cause has to do with the way levies are funded in this state, whereby levies are not permitted to grow with the development of the township. The other reason is simply economic factors: it’s the cost of gas, the need to replace vehicles, personnel costs, etc. Think about the cost of fuel. We have multiple police cars that run 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 day per year. In 2006, when the last police levy was passed, gas was around $2.50 per gallon. As of the writing of this article, a gallon of gas cost $3.45 per gallon, representing a 38% increase in just the cost of fuel. The cost of buying and maintaining police vehicles, increased contract cost for dispatching services, the cost of employing officers and replacing their equipment (bullet proof vests, uniforms, etc.), new state mandates, and other costs continue to grow.
It is well recognized that no one, including your elected officials like to pay taxes. But it is equally well recognized that the quality of local services are determined through your support of levies. Unlike cities, where council and the city manager’s determine how the income tax dollars are to be spent on what services, we must come to the voters of the Township, explain the need and ask for your support.
When you look around region, what are the hallmarks of a community? What maintains and increases property values? It’s no secret, it’s good schools, good services and a safe environment. Help us maintain that Butler Township quality of life by your support of the police levy on March 6th. Please vote yes to keep the Butler Township Police Department.