ANNA — The residents of the village of Anna will vote again this Nov. 8 on an additional income tax levy that would provide funds to hire another full-time police officer in the village.

A few years ago residents in the village expressed interest in increasing police coverage, Village Administrator Wayne York said.

Anna had a public discussion about whether to continue with its own police department or to contract with the Shelby County Sheriff for protection. A petition was circulated at that time with 511 signatures for Anna to keep its own police department.

So the Anna Village Council got to work looking at the police budget and decided the best way to put funds together to improve the policing in the village, and hire a second full-time police officer, would be a levy.

The additional 0.25 percent income tax levy would raise the income tax rate from 1.75 percent to 2.0 percent total.

During the first try at passing the levy last November, it was defeated by just 10 votes.

“There was very little publicity last year,” York said as to why it was such a close vote. “We’ve been trying to do better this year; sending out letters, talking to residents at local events, and posting material on our Facebook page and website.”

The village hopes to use the funds generated from the additional tax to not only hire the officer, but provide better training, purchase equipment like bullet resistant vests, and patch the leaking roof at the police department.

“There is one full-time officer and six part-time police officers for the village. And we can’t always get someone when we need someone because of everyone’s different schedules,” York said.

And to make it harder, the part-time officers have to provide their own equipment – vests, guns, and uniforms.

“It would be nice if we could at least cover those expenses,” he said.

York said there won’t really be any adverse effects if the levy doesn’t pass, everything will stay status quo.

“It’s just up to the residents to decide if they want to improve the policing situation in the village,” he said.

The additional tax would be collected beginning Jan. 1, 2017. More information is available by contacting the village or checking out their website: villageofannaoh.com.