Martinsburg Police Chief Ted Anderson and Mayor George Karos visited Wednesday’s Panhandle live to discuss the renewal of the police levy in Martinsburg.The levy was established in 1990 and generates just over $1 million for the city police.In an effort to save the tax payers of Martinsburg money, the vote to renew the police levy will be on the ballot Tuesday June 10^th along with other city elections even though the current levy does not expire until next summer.Anderson said nine officers and their equipment are funded through the levy and any money left over must stay explicitly in the police department.Karos explained that the levy is based on the assessed value of a home, saying that home assessed at $100,000 would end up costing the owner around 17 cents per day.Karos stressed that this money does not go to Charleston, but stays right here in the city of Martinsburg. The vote next week would renew the levy for five years per state law.Anderson said approximately 20% of the city police workforce is funded through the levy, and without those funds the current level of public safety would be significantly reduced.

Categories: Local News
Tags: Anderson, Election, Karos, Levy, Police, Tax, Vote