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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 3, 2006 Gold Hill levy seeks to expand police force An increase in property taxes there would pay for one more officer and a clerk By Sanne SPECHT Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — One officer or two? The success or failure of the city's proposed police levy will determine the department's staffing, officials say. "Without the levy, there's just a chief — cook and bottle washer," quipped Gold Hill Police Chief Dean Muchow, speaking in favor of the five-year levy's passage. Voters will be asked to approve $375,000 in additional property taxes for the police department on the Nov. 7 ballot. The levy would provide $75,000 in additional funding for each of the next five years, and pay for one additional officer and a part-time clerk. Muchow and members of the city council drafted the proposal. The ballot summary estimates it would increase property taxes by about $1.37 for each $1,000 of assessed valuation. If voters approve the measure, taxes on a house with an assessed valuation of $167,000 (the average for Jackson County) would increase $228.79. Advertisement Assessed valuation for tax purposes is currently about half the real market value. A simple majority vote will be required to pass the proposed levy. The department presently includes Muchow, Sergeant Hank Hobart, three reserve officers and part-time volunteer clerks. The city's current police levy, approved in 2002, will expire in September 2007. It provided $54,000 annually, which was intended to cover an additional officer's wages along with equipment and operating costs, but it proved inadequate, Muchow said. Much of Hobart's salary has been paid though a federal "cops grant" which expired in July 2005. The loss of the grant has hit the department hard, Muchow said. "The cops grant buoyed the department by paying up to three quarters of Hank's wage," he said. Since then, Hobart's salary and expenses (gas, vehicle repair, and training costs) have been covered by the general fund and the 2002 levy, Muchow said. "It became very apparent that the last levy covered wages and provided just a pittance for support services, which are vital," said Muchow. "We are reintroducing basically the same levy with some funds for support services." Muchow said the levy's financial request reflects community wishes expressed in a questionnaire sent to Gold Hill voters earlier this month. The survey showed about three-quarters of the respondents wanted to maintain the current "status quo" of staffing, while about one in four would like to see the department increased to three officers, Muchow said. The current levy cannot exceed $54,000 per year. The new tax proposal has no cap. Higher tax assessments on existing homes and new construction in the city could raise more money for the police department, said Mary Goddard, city recorder. Muchow said increases in population generally correspond with an increase in calls for service. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com