Xenia Twp.’s levies were both closer. The fire levy passed with 52% of the vote, while the township’s road levy failed by four votes, a 49.8% to 50.2% ratio. The razor-thin margin means the road levy will likely go to a recount.
Beavercreek police levy
Beavercreek voters considered a 1.8-mill property tax levy that, if passed, would be used to hire five new police officers, and to maintain and purchase police equipment.
The levy would raise property taxes beginning in 2024 by $63 per $100,000 of appraised property value, according to the Greene County Auditor’s office.
“Thank you to the voters,” Beavercreek Mayor Bob Stone said. “This levy maintains our strong police force — and a high quality police force — but also allows us to add to it.
Beavercreek hasn’t had an increase in police staffing for almost 10 years.
“It was much, much needed,” Stone said. “We will move forward from here and decide what our next hurdle is, not just for police but for the city as a whole.”
The Beavercreek Police Department is authorized to have 50 police officers, an addition of four in the last 27 years, to serve a city of nearly 47,000 residents. Beavercreek city officials have long pointed out that the growth of the police department has not kept pace with the growth of the city.
City Manager Pete Landrum previously told the Dayton Daily News that there are usually four to seven officers on duty at any one time. Factoring in leave, adding an additional five officers would essentially add one more officer to each shift.
Sugarcreek police levy
Sugarcreek Twp. asked residents to approve a new 1.5-mill police property tax in the May 2 election, which township officials say will be their first police levy in 13 years.
The permanent levy would generate $721,000 per year, and would cost homeowners $52.50 per $100,000 in property valuation, according to the Greene County Auditor’s office.
The levy would have two primary effects. The money would be used to hire two officers — one patrol officer and an additional full-time school resource officer with Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools. And the funds would go toward purchasing vehicles and equipment, township Administrator Barry Tiffany said.
If passed, current projections show the new levy would adequately fund the police department for the next 10 years, Tiffany previously told the Dayton Daily News.
Xenia Twp. levies
Xenia Twp. residents voted on a pair of new property tax levy requests — one for roads, and one for the fire department.
Both levies have the same terms — five years and 3.5 mills. Each would cost a homeowner $122.50 more annually per $100,000 in property value, and each would raise an extra $561,742 per year for the township.
Both departments are asking for additional funds in part due to the rising cost of equipment, Xenia Twp. Fire Chief Greg Beegle said. For example, a fire engine that was purchased for $424,000 in 2019 will cost $700,000 in 2024.
Beegle said the money will not be used to increase staffing levels, but to fill existing roles. The department has room for three full-time firefighters, but has had a hard time filling the third position due to lack of interest or qualified applicants for the job, Beegle said.
The Xenia Twp. Road Department maintains 53 miles of roads. Money from the levy would be used to replace aging equipment that has reached the end of its life or beyond, Beegle said, as well as fund some needed building maintenance per township documents.
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