Bay View seeks police levy

BAY VIEW — In the May election, Bay View residents can decide upon an important levy as it pertains to local law enforcement services. Those registered to vote who reside in the village can weigh in on supporting an additional five-year tax levy to maintain current operations for the police department. If approved, the owner of a $100,000 home can expect to pay $140 a year. Bay View Mayor Larry Gwinner answered some questions about the new levy: • The necessity: "This levy is necessary to help us to be able to offer a competitive wage. This levy is necessary to continue providing a safe environment for village residents by adding more manhours." • The staffing: "We employ six part-time officers and the chief." • The money: "This new levy will raise approximately $90,000 per year. Presently, we used approximately $53,000 from the current levy and approximately an additional $43,000 from the general fund for a total of approximately $96,000." • The funding: "If approved, money will be spent on more wages, equipment, training and more man-hours. If this levy passes, we will no longer need to take monies from the general fund, and then those monies can be used for other needs." • The potential fallout: "If it does not pass, we may not be able to recruit new officers because of low wages. We will not be able to add more man-hours."