Willoughby voters were in favor of the city’s safety services levy that was on the May 2 special election ballot.

Voters approved the levy 2,516 to 842, according to unofficial final results from the Lake County Board of Elections.

“We are grateful for the overwhelming support of our safety forces displayed by our residents on the coldest May 2 in the past 100 years,” said Mayor Robert Fiala.

With the passing of the 2.5-mill continuous levy, the city will be able to provide its police and fire departments with the facilities, as well as the equipment needed to maintain the quality services residents and businesses deserve, Fiala said.

“We want to thank our community for supporting Issue 2 and the many volunteers who contributed their time, and effort in helping us explain the benefits of improved facilities and equipment for our safety forces,” said Willoughby City Council President Bob Carr. “We will inform our residents about the next steps in the coming months.”

The 2.5-mill levy will cost $87.50 per $100,000 of appraised home value annually and will generate $1,885,899 per year, according to the Lake County Auditor’s Office.

The additional levy cannot be used for wages or benefits and is intended to keep families, neighborhoods and the city safe, Fiala said. It is also intended to support converting the former Meister Media building into a modern law enforcement facility, as well as purchasing a new ladder truck and creating a sustainable revenue stream that will enable the city to meet the equipment and technology needs of first responders.

Over the years, the city has considered a safety levy and in 2021, a study was completed to specifically look at the Willoughby Police Department and do a master plan.

“That plan was meant to evaluate our facility as it exists today and compare it to what a state-of-the-art police facility would be,” Fiala said. “The current facility is about 25,000 square feet. It should be 45,000 to 47,000 square feet.”

Early last year, the city was approached by Meister Media, which has plans to relocate its offices. Through that conversation, Economic Development Director Tom Thielman came up with the idea that the building, located at 37733 Euclid Ave., would make a perfect police station.

“With additions, we think we can get it to about 35,000 or 37,000 square feet,” Fiala said. “It’s in great condition. We purchased the building December of last year. The purchase price was about $2.5 million.”

Fiala said the levy will not only make the city safer but benefit its home values.

“Safe cities attract new business,” he said. “We all want to be safe. In the summer, when everybody’s out, you’ll see a strong presence of our officers. Our community supports our police and fire. A poll I did several years ago — we have 99% approval rating of our police and fire. We’re proud of them.”