TOLEDO, Ohio – Voters in the Village of Marblehead have once again rejected a proposal aimed at increasing police funding, with 53% of voters opposing a levy that would have provided the police department with the resources needed to offer competitive wages. The levy, which was placed on the ballot in hopes of addressing the department’s financial struggles, mirrors a similar proposal that was rejected by voters in the small community last year.
Marblehead, a picturesque village situated on the edge of Ottawa County, is home to the historic Marblehead Lighthouse, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes. This landmark draws an estimated one to two million visitors annually, contributing to the area’s charm and appeal. Village leaders, including Mayor John Starcher, have long touted Marblehead as a great place to live, but as the summer tourist season heats up, public safety has become a growing concern.
The village, with a population of just over 800, has faced ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining police officers due to uncompetitive wages. According to Mayor Starcher, officers in nearby municipalities are paid significantly more, leading to high turnover and difficulties in staffing the police department. Despite these challenges, local leaders have repeatedly attempted to address the issue by proposing a new police levy.
“The bottom line is, we have struggled for a very long time to be able to pay our police officers a competitive wage,” Mayor Starcher said, noting that other departments in the region offer significantly higher pay.
The proposed levy was seen as a necessary step to bolster the department’s financial standing and ensure officers could remain in the community. However, the failure of the levy—after it was rejected by voters last year as well—has left the village grappling with how to address the issue moving forward.
“This is a tough one. These are the guys that patrol the streets and keep us safe,” Starcher said, acknowledging that a lack of competitive wages has led to attrition as officers leave for higher-paying positions. “What happens is you lose people to attrition, or they leave to get a better position, better pay at the same position.”
In addition to the wage issue, Mayor Starcher suggested that the timing of the levy campaign could have played a role in its failure. The village had recently undergone a property re-evaluation, which resulted in an increase in property taxes. “People are tired of paying higher taxes, and it showed in the results of this levy campaign,” he said.
Despite the setback, Starcher and the police department remain committed to maintaining law enforcement services. The mayor has vowed to work closely with the police department, the community, and the village council to explore alternative funding solutions.
“We’re not giving up on this issue,” Starcher emphasized. “We have to find a way to fund our police department in a way that’s fair to the officers and to the residents of this village.”
As the village reevaluates its options, it’s clear that the issue of funding public safety will remain a critical priority. The challenge of balancing budget concerns with the need for a competitive, well-staffed police force continues to be a pressing issue for small communities across Ohio.