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HAZE Temp: 48 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend October 8, 2002 Police, fire on Phoenix ballot Without more money, staffing and service will fall by 2004, chief says By ANITA BURKE for the Mail Tribune PHOENIX — Outfitted with used police cars and hand-me-down equipment, the police department’s six officers and Chief Bob Kershaw strive to respond to every call — traffic accidents, stolen cars, burglaries, domestic violence and more — at any time of the day or night. Without a new source of funding to replace a bond and a levy set to expire in June 2003 and 2004, respectively, Kershaw worries that his department won’t be able maintain that service. "Without new funding, we will have problems in 2004," Kershaw said. "We would have periods when no one was available, so calls that weren’t life-and-death emergencies would just have to wait." To maintain its police and firefighting forces, the city will ask voters on the Nov. 5 ballot to approve a public safety levy of $2.85 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The five-year, local-option tax would replace the city’s current operating levy of $1.72 per $1,000 of assessed value and a bond debt service levy of roughly 65 cents per $1,000. If the proposed levy passes, the city would collect the new tax instead of the existing levy and bond taxes. The new rate would be 48 cents per $1,000 higher than the two taxes it replaces. Over five years, it would raise an estimated $3.2 million. The new tax would be in addition to the city’s permanent property tax rate of $3.65 per $1,000, just as the current operating levy and bond are. "It’s a modest increase," said City Administrator Don Walker. Without a new funding source in place, however, the city would have to lay off two police officers and two firefighters, he said. The city’s fire department includes a chief, although that position is unfilled now, and five firefighters, supplemented by volunteers. Volunteer reserve officers assist at the police department. Walker said the cuts could slow emergency responses and limit non-emergency responses. "With just myself and four officers, it would be impossible to provide 24-hour coverage seven days a week," Kershaw said. If voters approve the levy, the city would have funds to hire two police officers and two firefighters in the next five years, keeping pace with the city’s expected growth, Walker said. An aging fleet of police cars might also cause problems without additional funding, Kershaw said. In his nine years heading the department, it has purchased only two new cars, relying mostly on used vehicles bought from other agencies. It owns cars with between 160,000 and 240,000 miles on them, and even the chief’s car has more than 80,000 miles on it, he said. The cost of maintaining such cars is high, and he would like to replace them. "Without cars we can’t do our job," he said. Phoenix’s fire truck from 1975 needs to be upgraded to meet industry standards, Walker said. "We need a new truck, and with the present budget we can’t afford one." Both departments want to add emergency medical equipment, such as defibrillators to aid heart attack victims. "They have a lot of equipment that needs to be replaced," said Phoenix resident Carlos DeBritto, who heads a citizens’ campaign in support of the levy. He is focusing on informing residents about equipment needs and possible layoffs to build support for the levy. "People need to understand that this levy is essential, or we will face cuts in service," he said. DeBritto said he didn’t know of any active opposition to the proposed levy, but he feared that residents might not be aware of the issue. No statements against the levy were included in the Voters’ Pamphlet. To boost awareness, DeBritto and other supporters plan a door-to-door informational campaign in Phoenix this month. Anita Burke is a free-lance writer living in Ashland. E-mail her at [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S