AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) -- A public meeting was held Thursday evening in Austintown to explain the need for passing the township's upcoming police levy.

Austintown Trustees voted in June to place the 2.22 mill, 5-year levy on the November ballot. If passed, it will cost an extra $77 a year for every $100,000 of a property’s valuation — and will bring the police department an additional $2 million a year.

20 people attended the Thursday meeting at the township hall, where Police Chief Valerie Delmont said that in two years, Austintown has dropped from 43 sworn officers to 33. She said no one new has been hired since February 2023 because the money is not there.

Trustee Bruce Shepas explained what would happen if the levy failed.

"If it fails, it will be detrimental. Again, our cars are

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