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Council puts new 2.97-mill police levy on Nov. 5 ballot, members say it will help general fund
Summary
Geneva-on-the-Lake council voted unanimously to send a 2.97-mill permanent police levy to the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot, with officials saying revenue would help the general fund and provide relief that could benefit fire services later; Council Member Don Woodward raised questions about excluding a concurrent fire levy.
The Village of Geneva-on-the-Lake council on July 22 unanimously adopted Resolution 2024-46 to place a permanent 2.97-mill police levy on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot. The resolution, read into the record, cites Ohio Revised Code sections governing levy submissions and declares an emergency to expedite placement on the ballot.
Council Member P. J. Macchia moved for emergency declaration, waiver of the three-reading rule and to pass the resolution; Council President Matt Caudill seconded. The emergency, waiver and final passage each passed on roll call with all six members voting yes.
Council Member Don Woodward questioned why a fire levy was not being placed on the November ballot as well. Solicitor Newcomb and Deputy Fiscal Officer Sean Ratican responded that a police levy would provide greater general fund relief than a fire levy would, and that there was concern about attempting to pass both levies in a single election. Mayor Dwayne M. Bennett Sr. and Police Chief Kyle Cawley stated that relief to the general fund from a police levy would, in turn, help the fire department and that a future fire levy remains planned.
The resolution text in the transcript specifies the levy rate (2.97 mills), the ballot date (Nov. 5, 2024), and that proceeds would be used for continued police services and necessary equipment; it also cites Ohio Revised Code Sections 5705.12, 5705.19, 5705.191, 5705.192, 5705.194, 5705.21, and 5705.26. The council passed the resolution under emergency rules to take immediate effect.
