Jeff Benninghoff doesn't own a home in Fredonia, but he said he pays taxes through his rent.

All he wants is a chance to make his voice count on whether police presence should remain in the borough, he told council during Monday's town meeting.

"I can vote to put you guys in office," he said. "I want to vote for police protection."

The volunteer firefighter got his wish, as council voted unanimously to allow property owners and per capita taxpayers to submit surveys that council may use to gauge residents' feelings regarding Jefferson-Clark Regional police continuing to cover Fredonia.

Councilman Ron Boyd said the prices of many things have gone up, including school taxes and hospitalization, and many people -- including council members -- are looking to save money.

Until a few years ago, state police covered the borough at no cost, but council decided to look into the regional police patrols after juvenile vandalism and petty crimes were being reported.

Since 1998, council has been paying Clark-Jefferson police $16,000 a year to patrol borough streets 15 hours a week, said Police Chief Jeff Lockard.

Boyd said he is against the patrols because the borough can't afford it. He said the borough has been operating in the red the last few years; last year, it operated $13,429 in the red.

Councilwoman Sheri Valimont attributed the tight budget to increased costs of operating the borough, saying taxes haven't been raised in at least 17 years.

Some residents, including Tim Simpson, wanted to know exactly how much their taxes would increase to keep the police presence.

Larry McAdams, council president, said he didn't have an answer because "it wasn't budget time yet."

"It's not budget time yet?" asked Amy Ray. "A poor excuse is better than no excuse I guess."

030509