PATASKALA, Ohio -- Columbus officials announced Wednesday that they were able to reinstate 27 police recruits who were previously laid off -- thanks to a grant from the government.
It's great news for Columbus, but what about other cities and towns around Central Ohio?
At 34 square miles and 14,000 residents, Pataskala has had its share of police matters. The idyllic part of Licking County has been the scene of drug busts and burglaries, NBC 4's Tacoma Newsome reported.
But with the police levy expiring at the end of November, without a renewal, officials said there will be no police department at all.
The force has already been cut from 21 to 17 officers, but now council members are discussing funding options.
It's thought by most that a levy is the answer, but the question is how much.
Mayor Steve Butcher said that in order to maintain, the levy would be between 5- and 7-mills.
Separate from the levy to keep the police department, the city has applied for stimulus money to maintain or build a new police building. But if voters don't pass a levy for the force, a new police building won't be necessary.
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