Monclova seeks funds for police protection

Two years after the Lucas County Sheriff's Office informed eight townships that they no longer will receive free patrols, Monclova Township is asking voters to approve a 1.5-mill, five-year levy that would raise more than $660,000 a year for police protection.

Township Trustee Brian Craig said the township intends to use that money to continue contracting with the sheriff's office for 24-hour coverage every day, which is more than what residents had before the county started charging for protection.

The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 house about $46 a year, according to the Lucas County Auditor's Office.

Monclova Township is paying $578,116 for around-the-clock protection from the sheriff's office this year, an amount that will go up to $650,381 next year, the last in the current contract, said Gavin Pike, township fiscal officer.

Contracting for police protection costs less than establishing a department, Mr. Craig said. Monclova Township has been paying for police protection from the general fund, but by next year it will account for more than 40 percent of the township's annual revenues, and it is not fiscally responsible to continue doing so, he said.

"We have no business spending that fund and our reserve to zero," said Mr. Craig, adding that a levy will allow voters to decide whether they want full-time protection. He added: "In this economy, it's tough, and that's one reason we can no longer afford to pay it out of our general fund."

Elsewhere, the Swanton Public Library is asking voters to approve a 1-mill, five-year operating levy that would bring in $205,120 a year.

The levy would be in addition to a 0.5-mill levy voters approved in 2008 that the library had hoped would enable it to catch up on maintenance projects on its 1978 building, including roof and parking lot repairs and carpet replacement.

"With the state funding cuts, it just filled the gap created by the cuts," Director Linda Slaninka said. "It enabled us to keep the doors open seven days a week but not to do those things we had hoped to be able to do."

If approved, the library's levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 house $30.63 a year.

Berkey voters will face roughly three times that amount if voters approve a 3-mill, five-year levy for operating expenses.

That additional tax would cost the owner of a $100,000 house about $92 a year.

Harding Township, meanwhile, is asking voters to approve a 1.75-mill, five-year levy to contract for fire and rescue services. The additional tax would cost the owner of a $100,000 house about $54 a year.

Wood County's Middleton Township has an additional 2-mill, three-year tax levy on the ballot for road construction and repair. That will cost the owner of a $100,000 house an additional $61.25 a year.

Not all levies would increase taxes.

Ottawa County's Allen Township has a five-year replacement tax levy for maintaining and operating cemeteries, although it will be decreased 0.13 mill to 0.47 mill.

Residents currently pay about $16.60 a year, but the proposed levy would reduce that tax bill to $14.40 a year.

In Rossford, meanwhile, voters will consider two changes to the city's charter.

One would end October primary elections for mayor and City Council positions, while the other would eliminate the treasurer office and set up the finance director's office to take over those duties.

Sylvania is asking voters to change the city's charter to delete the requirement for the treasurer to be a resident.

Other suburban issues include:

● Oregon is asking to renew the 2.25 percent income tax for five years.

● Oregon also has 0.5-mill, five-year tax renewal for fire expenses and a 0.5-mill, five-year tax renewal for recreational expenses.

● Springfield Township has a 1.8-mill, five-year tax renewal for fire expenses.

● Perrysburg has a 1-mill, two-year replacement tax levy on the ballot for garbage collection and disposal.

● Jerusalem Township has a 0.75-mill, five-year tax renewal for recreation expenses.

● Clay Township has a 0.5-mill, five-year renewal for maintaining and operating a cemetery.

● The Olander Park System has a 0.5-mill, five-year tax renewal.

● Voters in Oregon's Precinct 1 will decide whether wine, mixed beverages, and liquor can be sold from 10 a.m. to midnight Sundays at Harbor View Yacht Club, 2180 Autokee St.

● Voters in Springfield Township's Precinct 11 will decide whether wine and mixed beverages can be sold from 10 a.m. to midnight Sundays at Chowders 'N Moor, 7723 Airport Highway.

● Voters in Waterville's Precinct 1 will decide whether wine and mixed beverages can be sold from 10 a.m. to midnight Sundays at Chowders 'N Moor, 312 South St.

● Voters in Waterville's Precinct 3 will decide whether wine, mixed beverages, and spirits can be sold from 10 a.m. to midnight Sundays at Zinful, 7541 Dutch Rd.

Staff writer Jennifer Feehan contributed to this report.

Contact Julie M. McKinnon at: jmckinnon@theblade.com or 419-724-6087.