BEAVERCREEK — Beavercreek voters were asked Tuesday to approve or deny a tax levy looking to benefit the city’s police department.
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Ultimately voters chose to reject the levy.
Beavercreek City Council put this police levy on the ballot for November after voters tuned down the income tax levy in May.
“I am disappointed the police levy was voted down,” Beavercreek Mayor Bob Stone said in an emailed statement Wednesday.
“The need to expand and fund this vital safety service remains. Unfortunately, our officers at the Beavercreek Police Department will continue to deal with an increasing demand for services without any additional officers. Beavercreek stretches its dollar more than most communities, and we have stretched our dollars as far as they can be stretched.”
The levy would have raised raise property taxes by $87.50 per $100,000 of appraised value beginning in January.
They hoped the additional funds will be enough money to add an additional five officers the department, plus raise capital to help finance a new building.
The police department’s current building is more than 60 years old, Beavercreek Police Chief Jeff Fiorita said in September.
Fiorita also said the building does not have enough storage for records or a locker room for officers to securely hang and store uniforms or equipment.
The last time voters approved additional funding for the police department was in 2014.
After the failure of the levy, two public work sessions have been scheduled by the city council to review the city’s proposed budget and ask questions. City officials encourage Beavercreek residents to attend the sessions on Nov. 16 and Nov. 21. Both meetings will be held at 5 p.m. at Beavercreek’s City Hall.
More information about the levy can be found here.
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