OAKLAND TWP — One month after a trial period of a partnership between Saxonburg Police Department and Oakland Township ended, supervisors left the issue for township residents to decide on.

The township previously entered a trial period to have Saxonburg police extend coverage to the township. The trial ran from Oct. 31, 2024 to Feb. 6, 2025.

During the trial, the coverage received opposition from township residents and the board decided to pursue placing the issue on the ballot.

At the March 5 supervisors meeting, the board reviewed the idea of putting a permanent agreement on the ballot for residents to vote. However, Chairman Shaun Krill said the township was unable to do it directly.

“Someone out in the public has to go and collect signatures and then have it added to the ballot,” Krill explained.

According to township secretary and treasurer Diana Foehringer, a resident would need to gather 68 signatures to petition for the matter to be placed on the ballot.

“When I called the Butler County Bureau of Elections, they told me to go get an election lawyer,” Foehringer said.

In the meantime, there is no agreement between Saxonburg police and the township, Krill said.

According to township Vice Chairman Brian Hans, Saxonburg police responded to 63 calls, issued 9 traffic citations and served 298 hours during the trial period. The total cost to the township totaled $14,523.54.

The next supervisors meeting is set for 7 p.m. on April 2.