The police force in Franklin Township is about to get a little bit smaller.
A levy failed Tuesday that would have restored the police department to full staff.
"I am very concerned about this," Franklin Township Trustee, John Fleshman said. "I hate to see us go to this point."
That point is well beyond a skeleton crew from a department that has already seen its share of cuts.
Fleshman says Tuesday's vote is just one thing in a string of things that haven't gone the police department's way.
Recent cuts already had the number of officers down from 11 to six. Now that the levy failed, Franklin Township will have to cut two more officers.
If passed, it would have required a monthly payment from constituents anywhere from $6 to $12, depending on the value of their house.
Fleshman says 911 calls will still be an immediate priority, but other than that officers will only be responding not patrolling. And, it means the Franklin County Sheriff's Office will have to pick up the slack.
"What that's going to do is put a lot of pressure on the county," Fleshman said. "We hate to be a burden on them as well."
Fleshman says he's appreciative for the help but the extensive cuts are not good for public safety. He hopes a solution soon presents itself because the alternative is not ideal.
"We cannot carry a police department with what we have," he said.
Fleshman says Franklin Township trustees will meet with the public, Thursday, to discuss their concerns on why the levy didn't pass.
They will also be asked what services they would like and what they would be willing to pay for.
Fleshman says the ultimate goal is to be able to restore the police department to full staff, with 11 officers.