NEWTON FALLS, Ohio - Newton Falls City Council has had a change of heart about plans to lay off all of its part time officers.
In Newton Falls, 15 part time and six full time police officers patrol the city around the clock 365 days a year.
Officers answered roughly 60 burglaries calls last year and multiple calls for drug crimes. In 2008 they handled 70 auto accidents alone. That number was reduced to less than 20 last year due in part to a police presence.
But a cut in funding meant all part time officers would be off the job. "There are over 80 open cases right now. Cutting back on staffing right now is not something we wanted to do. We do like to follow up and take care of the cases and make sure those who have been impacted are served also," said Newton Falls City Manager Jack Haney.
The city manager tells 21 News that's why city council is considering ending the forgiveness of income tax for people working in other areas that already pay income tax there.
Currently, only employees who work in Newton Falls or workers who pay no income tax in another city pay for the city's services. "We are looking at a stop gap. This is a onetime situation. Council has been discussing putting a levy on later in the year," Haney said.
This would allow police to stay on the job for this year until council finds out what level of service homeowners and residents want and they put a more permanent solution to voters.
"Members that have voted for it have stated on the floor of council if it is passed they would repeal this," Haney said.
The issue will come up for discussion and a vote at the next Newton Falls city council meeting on February 6th.
