Brookfield Police Chief Dan Faustino said his department needs to be accountable to the people it serves, which is why he is seeking a renewal of a five-year levy instead of a replacement levy that would be continuous, or asking for more money.
“It keeps it on us to make sure we’re providing services and do what’s expected,” he said. “I think we’ve lived up to our end in providing the best service and watching our cost. We’ll live with what we have as long as we can.”
The 2-mill levy will be on the May 7 ballot. Originally approved in 2003 to go into effect in 2004, the levy raises about $250,000 a year.
“It represents about 30 percent of our operating budget,” Faustino said. “Without it, it puts us in bad shape to provide services.”
The levy’s marketing campaign has not been highly visible, relying on word-of-mouth and social media to get the word out, he said. The signs that have been posted around the area were funded with leftover money from past campaigns.
“We did not have to raise money for this,” he said of the current campaign.
“I think we’re very responsible with the money and the services we provide and expectations for our staff,” Faustino said. “We try to be responsive to the needs of our community.”
The levy ends Dec. 31. If it is voted down May 7, trustees can try again in the November election.
