HARRISBURG -- Local township and borough officials could levy a dedicated tax to support police services under legislation passed this week by the House.

The package of several bills sponsored by Rep. Chris Ross, R-Chester, and sent to the Senate would authorize an annual police tax not to exceed 3 mills for first-class and second-class townships and boroughs. Tax revenues could be used to support local police departments or a municipality's participation in a regional police force.

The decision on whether to levy the tax would be optional for local officials, however. If officials decide they wanted to levy the tax more than 3 mills, they would need the approval of local voters.

The police levy would be similar to one already on the books to support local fire services, said Elam Herr, an official with the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.