Sebring voters to decide fate of levies | News, Sports, Jobs

SEBRING — Village voters will be asked in November to decide the fate of additional levies of 2 million over five years for police and parks, as well as a renewal levy of 1 million over five years for recreation.

Last year, they rejected additional levies for police and parks, but approved new funds for firefighters and a renewal for recreation. Sebring, the largest village in Mahoning County, was incorporated in 1899 and has a population of approximately 4,500.

Police Chief Ray Harris said the department, in its 125 years of existence, has not had a levy to help fund the department or its dispatch center.

The department operates on what the village’s general fund allows, he said, adding that a measure passed last year lost by just eight votes.

Harris said he believed voters supported the police department, but that further levies might have been too much to ask at one point.

The average age of Sebring residents is 55, Harris said, explaining that the older population is nearing retirement age and might be worried about their finances in a tough economy. The department has the only 911 call center in southwest Mahoning County and dispatches two police departments and three fire departments.

Full-time employees include Harris, a sergeant, five patrol officers and a school resource officer. The department also employs a part-time officer.

The county auditor said the two plants would generate $148,000 a year and cost residents with a $100,000 home about $70 a year, or about $5 a month.

Harris said Sebring officer salaries are among the lowest, if not the lowest, in the county, and the ability to offer competitive pay is key to retaining and recruiting staff. The money would be used to increase salaries, hire a new officer, create surveillance and community outreach programs, fund advanced training and retain the local dispatch center, Harris said.

Additionally, it will allow the department to create a troubled youth intervention program and provide an officer twice a month to the Mahoning County Drug Task Force.

The future of the department depends on the outcome of the vote, Harris said, but he explained that residents were asking for signs to be placed in their yards.

“They were very receptive about it” he said. “I have a good feeling.”

Voters will also decide the fate of an additional two million levy over five years for parks that would also generate $148,000 a year and cost residents with a $100,000 home $70 a year.

The money would be used to maintain and upgrade Northside and Southside parks.

In an email, Village Manager Tim Gabrelcik said the money would allow the parks board to explore improvements including pickle ball courts, widening the walking path at Southside Park, l addition of new play equipment and repairs to the Civic Center swimming pool, pavilion and gymnasium.

The council could also add more summer programs in parks if the measure is approved, Gabrelcik said.

Improvements to park facilities will be minimal if the levy fails, he added.

Joe Amabeli, chairman of the parks and recreation board and a lifelong Sebring resident, said he understands why voters may be hesitant in this economy to pass new levies.

“I understand… I pay taxes too” he said. “No one wants to pay more taxes.”

The cost to voters is minimal, he explained, and without the additional money it will be difficult to pay for necessary upgrades and maintenance.

“We are stagnating” he said. “We can’t afford to do some of the things we really want to do. »