Friday, June 22, 2012

Merrillville Unable by Law to Seek Referendum for Police Department According to DLGF

From the Northwest Indiana Times:

A property tax referendum no longer is an option to increase Merrillville's police force, Clerk-Treasurer Eugene Guernsey said.

Guernsey said he was notified by Indiana's Department of Local Government Finance the town could not pursue a referendum for the purpose of hiring 10 more police officers.

Referendums for operating expenses only are allowed for schools, according to the state department.
Guernsey and other Merrillville officials were attempting to have a referendum on the ballot in November to ask residents if they would support a property tax increase to hire 10 additional officers.

The frozen levy in Lake County has prevented Merrillville from increasing the Police Department's staff, which currently has 48 officers, town leaders said.
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http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/merrillville/merrillville-can-t-pursue-referendum-for-police/article_4fc0c922-10ed-5a3e-9a12-5e6ddd8b12f4.html