The city of Elma will hold a vote for a replacement levy to fund the Elma Police Department on Aug. 1.

The levy is an annual measure, voted for each year since 2015, said Police Chief Susan Shultz.

“The community has approved it every year. It tells me that the community — that we’re working with the community well,” Shultz said. “I’ve worked for agencies in the past where they community doesn’t know who the chief is, much less how many officers. There’s no community connection.”

The levy is for $250,000, which helps to fund the staffing of the department, Shultz said. The department currently has eight sworn officers and two administrative staff, Shultz said.

“What it does is assists with the funding of the police department and allows us to keep at our current level of staffing,” Shultz said. “It is my hope in the very near future that I can add to our staffing, both clerical and our police officers.”

Shultz said she’s exploring other avenues for funding with an eye toward expanding the staff in the near future.

The levy will cost property taxpayers 52 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, according to a news release by the city. Rising property values and a growing population have driven the cost per taxpayer down, Shultz said — the levy was about 67 cents per $1,000 in assessed value in 2020.

“Property values are going up,” Shultz said. “And we’ve had an increase in housing.”

Shultz said she’s confident the community will continue to support the department and allow them to continue their brand of community-focused policing.

“Police work is all about the people,” Shultz said. “We have a really good relationship. The community, I want them to feel like they’re part of the team.”

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.