A local police chief took to social media Tuesday to express his concerns about job cuts that have negatively impacted the department in recent years.
Elyria Police Chief Duane Whitely wrote on Facebook that the department, and the city for that matter, just can't afford any more cuts.
"Since 2009, the city has been forced to make cuts throughout the City in order to balance the budget," he wrote, in part. "Every year it gets more difficult to provide the services the residents of the city have come accustomed to and stay within our budget."
In the last six years, he said, the department has lost the following positions due to these cuts:
Full-time positions
• 20 corrections officers
• Two park rangers
• One parking attendant
• Four records clerks
• Two secretaries
• One services
• One records supervisor
• Five sworn officers
Part-time positions
• Four corrections officers
• One parking attendant
• One quartermaster
• Two records clerks
According to the police chief, the 2016 budget is showing that another $1.7 million in spending is expected to be eliminated by the city.
"We have cut everything that is not related to personnel already," he wrote. "Further reductions mean, quite simply, that more police officer positions will be cut."
Chief Whitely said the only thing that can fix the problem is that passage of Issue 6, a tax levy.
Elyria Mayor Holly Brida said, "The decline of the local government fund, repeal of the estate tax and less stimulus money," caused the shortfall.
According to the city's website, Issue 6, which will appear on the March 15 ballot, would create a temporary, 5-year, .05 percent income tax increase. (Read the ballot language below)
The chief said this increase is necessary.
"The tax levy on the ballot, Issue 6, is not something that falls under the category of 'nice to have.' This levy falls under 'emergency,'" he wrote. "Failure to provide additional revenues will have devastating effects on the services the city provides and, in turn, on every property owner."
Read the entire post:
Message from Chief Duane Whitely: Residents of Elyria, I am approaching my 26th year of being a police officer in...
Posted by Elyria Police Department on Tuesday, February 9, 2016
BALLOT LANGUAGE
A Majority Affirmative Vote Is Necessary For Passage
Shall the ordinance providing for an additional ½% of 1% levy on income to provide funds for resurfacing and repair of residential streets and infrastructure, additional police officers and equipment, an amount necessary to address the capital needs of the city including projects for the Elyria City Parks and Recreation Department as they may be determined in accordance with the Parks Master Plan, and economic development and promotion of the City for the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2021 be passed?
