Fairfield Township trustees weigh cuts, hiring freezes and levy strategy after split election results

Trustees spent significant time on May 14 debating how to respond to mixed results in recent levies: one safety levy passed while the police levy failed. Administrator Miss Leensy presented a draft 2027 budget showing modest revenue growth but rising expenditures driven by benefits and other costs; carryover balances were projected to fall from roughly $20 million to about $13 million if current plans proceed.

Trustees discussed options including: (1) reallocating safety‑services levy proceeds to support police for a single year (2027) while exploring revenue increases and cost reductions elsewhere; (2) implementing an overtime‑approval policy and tighter controls to curb large overtime expenditures; (3) delaying refilling vacant positions and considering across‑the‑board cuts to preserve core services; and (4) preparing to place a revised police levy on the November ballot with clearer public information. Multiple trustees emphasized using financial modeling rather than opinions to guide decisions: "I am really looking forward to sitting with the numbers and using the numbers to help drive our decision," the administrator said when offering to provide scenarios and modeling.

Resident Paul Yuckle told trustees that competing measures (notably a school district levy) and campaign messaging likely affected voter choices and urged the board to consider voter psychology in timing and messaging for any future levy.

Trustees asked the administrator to prepare several fiscal scenarios, including options that combine targeted cuts and revenue changes, and to bring recommendations to the June budget meeting and the scheduled June 23 public hearing on the tax budget. No final staffing decisions were taken; trustees voted to schedule additional analysis and possible special meetings to decide implementation details.