POLAND — Township police Chief Greg Wilson said he was “ecstatic” that a five-year, 0.73-mill levy for the police department passed by an overwhelming margin of 69% in favor to 31% against, according to incomplete and unofficial Mahoning County Board of Election results on Tuesday.

With only 35 precincts counted, it appeared the levy was passing by a landslide.

The levy will generate approximately $359,000 per year for general services and operating expenses. It will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $26 annually, with no new taxes.

A five-year levy, set at 0.98 mills, was defeated in the Nov. 7 general election, in part, because of what some officials felt was confusing or ambiguous language on the ballot. Specifically, the words “new” and “additional” in the language led many voters last fall to believe it would mean an increase in their taxes, township Trustee Eric Ungaro said at the time.

The levy passed on Tuesday will replace one from 1978, which expired Dec. 31. Nevertheless, this measure will collect the same amount of taxes as the 1978 one, Wilson said previously. The millage was dropped from 0.98 to 0.73 to reflect the 2024 property reevaluations.

The levy will go solely to the police department to maintain his status quo, allowing them to continue providing services to residents. Wilson said they worked non-stop with residents since December and voters came out in huge numbers to support the department.

Wilson said the last time the police department sought tax money was in 1995, when the township hired several additional officers.

Ungaro thanked township residents on behalf of the board

“There’s no substitute for hard work,” Ungaro said. “We’re very grateful for the result.”

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