Middleport Mayor Announces Police Department Layoffs

MIDDLEPORT, OH (WOWK) — Middleport, Ohio Mayor Ben Nease announced on Facebook Monday that the Middleport Police Department will be experiencing layoffs due to a budget issue.

“In July 2023, almost 6 months before I took office, a decision was made to provide a pay increase to the police department. After a thorough investigation, it was determined that this decision was based on erroneous numbers,” Mayor Nease said in his message.

Mayor Nease said that due to this discrepancy and “other factors,” the general fund has been severely impacted. In response, Sheriff Fitch was contacted to provide coverage for Middleport until the department’s issues were resolved.

He also said Middleport Police Chief Wood was instructed to begin the termination process in the department.

“I promise to do everything I can to restore the department as quickly as possible and correct these legacy issues. “Today’s decision had to be made to avoid irreversible damage to the financial health of the Village,” the Mayor said.