(12/1) During the November 13 Liberty Township budget workshop meeting, Township officials discussed the $50,000 shortfall in the budget. Supervisors were split on how to account for the deficit as they weighed a tax increase versus moving money out of the Capital Reserve account.

After reviewing the first draft of the budget, residents provided their opinions on ways to even out the budget, which included cutting the township’s full-time employees to part-time. Another suggestion was to do away with the Police Department entirely.

After the recent resignation of the Township’s Police Chief Brand Briggs, some residents felt as though this would be the optimal time to disband the Police Department. Police coverage could be left to the state police and Carroll Valley. As it currently stands, Liberty Township and Carroll Valley have a relationship in which police service is reciprocated; Liberty Township does not pay Carroll Valley for any coverage. However, if Liberty Township decides not to hire a new Police Chief full time, the Carroll Valley Police Department would most likely require a contract based upon payment for coverage, because reciprocation between departments would no longer be even.

As discussed by the Supervisors, there are three options available to them. They could disband the Police Department and rely on the state police; they could tie in with another local police department such as Carroll Valley, under contract; or they could keep their own police department. Other residents, however, disagreed with completely ridding the Township of its own Police Department. Some noted the Police Department could be kept, without hiring a full time Police Chief. They could also hire a Police Chief and cut out their part time police officers that only currently provide a minimal number of hours to the township. The budget, as presented, had a line item budgeting a $59,500 salary for a new Police Chief, and $12,800 for part time police officers. The township could take care of the $50,000 shortfall by choosing not to hire a new Police Chief or completely eliminating the Police Department.

If the township would choose not to eliminate the Police Department or cut their employees to part-time, they would be looking at increasing taxes or taking funds from their Capital Reserve account, of which there is approximately $200,000. The status of the roads within the township are in ill-repair, because the township hasn’t had the resources and funds to repair them as they should. As discussed, raising taxes now could allow the township to take care of their roads without dipping into their Capital Reserve account. However, asking for a half a million increase all at once could hurt the pockets of residents throughout the township.

After much discussion between Supervisors, a 0.1125 mil tax increase this year was proposed. This increase would give the township $18,238, and they would borrow the rest from the Capital Reserves fund. The township proposed having this tax increase set for the next four years.

In regards to the Police Department, residents proposed taking a census via email or postcard that would allow the residents to weigh in on whether or not they wish to keep the Police Department. No official answer regarding a census was given during the meeting. For now, applications are being accepted for a new Police Chief.