WASHINGTONVILLE — The village police department is seeking a 2.5-mill levy on Tuesday’s ballot to help retain and attract officers.

Police Chief Kenneth Faust said it is critical to running the part-time department.

“Most of the funds will go for wages,” he said. “We are trying to keep the officers we do have and attract new officers.”

He said the pool for new police candidates has grown thin since COVID-19. Not many young people are being attracted to law enforcement careers and the competition to attract a new recruit has become tough, especially for part-time departments.

“As a part-time department, we don’t pay for benefits,” Faust said. “When we do hire an officer, we usually have to share that person with another department. In the case of young officers, we often become a stepping stone to other departments.”

Washingtonville has a department of four that includes the chief. Faust said it is a challenge to schedule officers as he has to consider the other departments where his officers work.

Another interesting situation for Washingtonville is where it lies. It is split between Mahoning County and Columbiana County. Faust said it is the combined vote from each county that decides the levy.

A 2.5-mill additional levy was before voters in 2023 and was defeated after a vote of 45% for the levy and 55% against.

That levy was joined by two other additional Washingtonville levies: a 2.5-mill levy for sewage facilities and a 2.5-mill levy for village expenses. All three were defeated.

This November, it will just be the police levy on the ballot.

The 2.5 mills is expected to bring in $26,085 per year for a period of five years. The cost per $100,000 of property valuation is approximately $88 per year.

“If we get the levy, I hope to get wages up to make good people want to come here,” Faust said. “It would be nice to hire another officer, too.”