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Gold Hill will place police department measure on ballot GOLD HILL - Council members took two steps closer to opening Gold Hill's own police department Monday: They voted to place a five-year, $270,000 public safety levy on the ballot in May and selected a new police chief. Council members will offer the position to one of three candidates they interviewed Saturday but won't disclose their selection until after background checks and negotiations are final. The new chief will build the police department from the ground up, setting up records, buying supplies, hiring personnel and establishing guidelines. Council members voted in October to reopen the department, which was closed in September 2000. The decision was prompted by a citizen survey and the first attempt to pass a police levy last September that was fewer than 50 votes shy of passing. Council member Rob Lowe said he would head up a committee to educate the public about the upcoming ballot measure. If approved, the measure would fund $54,000 each year for five years, covering the costs of a second police officer. The chief's salary and operating costs would be funded by the $75,000 public safety budget. Lowe said he felt educating the public was important in passing the bond. "The community has clearly indicated to us that they support the concept of law enforcement. ... We want to provide them with all the information about how much law enforcement the levy would provide. "I believe that by educating the people and giving them the necessary information, they will make an educated decision." City Recorder Tony Paxton said the city hoped to have a new chief on board by early March. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.