SEBRING ‒ The village police may expire after voters agreed to new tax dollars for its operations.

According to WKBNUnofficial results from Tuesday’s election show the $2 million police levy over 5 years passed with 53% of the vote. This will generate $148,000 more per year in tax revenue for the police and cost owners of a $100,000 home $70 more per year.

Revenue from the tax was to fund the maintenance of police cars, communications, equipment and facilities, and salaries.

The police tax was one of two successful local tax issues. The other was a $1 million renewal fee for the parks system. A third tax issue – additional taxes for the parks system – was rejected by voters.

It was quite a turnaround for the police tax and renewal tax Tuesday night when election officials released the results. Earlier in the night, things looked bleak for both issues. However, the final vote count pushed them to victory.

Additionally, voters approved changes to the village charter that will allow local West Branch residents to serve on the village park board, require fewer signatures on a petition for candidates to run in nonpartisan races and to pass state laws on special primary elections.

Contact Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or [email protected]. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP.

This article was originally published on The Repository: Sebring voters accept new tax dollars in Tuesday’s election