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Gold Hill police levy gets 2nd chance GOLD HILL - The City Council, convinced it has a clear voter mandate for a city police department despite its defeat in the last election, will take another shot at funding it next spring. The council will ask voters again for an annual tax levy of $54,000 for five years in the March 12 special election. The money will help fund a police chief, equipment, an additional officer and operating costs. "There was obviously very strong support by a substantial number of voters," said Councilman Rob Lowe. "My sense is, with a little more of an education campaign, perhaps we can succeed next time." In the last election, held Sept. 18, 67 percent of ballots cast supported the levy. But the 43 percent turnout defeated it because money measures in nongeneral elections must draw 50 percent of the voters to pass. Another 47 ballots in either direction would have approved the measure, council members said. Council president Christine Alford called the results an "unfunded mandate." "We finally know what the people want and we don't have the money to pay for it," she said. Council members said an update of the voter list could have changed the outcome of such a close election because a number of those on the list had either moved or died. City Recorder Tony Paxton said the city would prepare for the March 12 ballot by cleaning up the voter list and "challenging any names that don't belong." Paxton said a resolution would be presented to the council in November or December in order to make the Jan. 10 filing deadline. For now, the city will rely on emergency protection only from the Jackson County Sheriff's Department until the council reviews other options, including offers from the sheriff's department and other agencies for added protection, at a study session at 6 p.m. Oct. 10. For more information, call City Hall at 855-1525. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.