CLEARFIELD – When asked to approve a six-mill property tax increase at the polls, voters will be deciding if the Lawrence Township Police Department needs additional manpower during the Nov. 6 General Election.
The Clearfield County Election Board voted, 3-0, to approve the township’s voter question request at its meeting Tuesday morning. The board consists of Commissioners John A. Sobel, Joan Robinson-McMillen and Mark B. McCracken. However, McCracken couldn’t participate in the vote as a political candidate in the upcoming election. His vote was replaced by that of David McNaul.
According to previous GantDaily.com reports, the Lawrence Township Supervisors voted 2-0 to approve a resolution for the election office to add a question to the ballot, asking voters to OK the six-mill tax increase. It would benefit the police department and emergency services.
In February, the supervisors approved a referendum that sought for voters to approve a public safety fund for its police department. The fund would have its millage accounted for separately; however, it would still fall under the general fund budget. It would be a 33 percent property tax increase, and if approved, all revenue must go toward the police department.
If approved, it would allow the township to employ up to two full-time police officers or up to three part-time police officers. The Lawrence Township police originally consisted of 14 police officers, including full- and part-time positions but through attrition, the department has only seven, full-time officers, said Supervisor William Lawhead in a previous GantDaily.com report.