Wolf Point Considers Law Enforcement Levy

A decision regarding funding for the Wolf Point Police Department is on the June 7 ballot.

Voters are asked to approve an additional levy of 59 mills upon taxable property for four years necessary to raise the sum of approximately $100,000 per year for the police department.

Wolf Point Mayor Chris Dschaak explains the additional levy goes to the voters every four years. The request was approved with about 70 percent of the people approving it during the election four years ago.

“We would be down one full-time officer without it,” Dschaak said of the need to pass the request.

The fiscal impact on a home having a market value of $50,000 is estimated to be $39.83 each year of the levy, $79.65 on a home having a market value to $100,000 and $159.30 on a home having a market value of $200,000.

“I urge people to vote for it,” Dschaak said.

As far as the hiring process for Wolf Point’s new police chief, Dschaak explained that a committee will interview the two candidates during the week of May 16. The committee consists of three individuals with law enforcement backgrounds who are not affiliated with the Wolf Point Police Department.

“They have about 80 years of law enforcement background between them,” Dschaak noted.

The committee will make its recommendation to the Wolf Point City Council.