Bandon voters narrowly defeated a measure that would have provided more money to the city’s police department.

The Coos County Elections Office released totals Tuesday night that showed 51.5 percent of voters were opposed to the tax, while 48.5 favored the measure. About 53 percent (903) of the city’s registered voters cast ballots.

“Obviously, we are disappointed,” Bandon Mayor Mary Schamehorn said. “But we are also pleasantly surprised that it only failed by 27 votes.”

“We will think about bringing it back for another vote in May,” she said.

City Administrator Matt Winkel said Bandon has several options, with the first being asking the council whether it wants to float another levy request.

“We’re disappointed it didn’t happen, but heartened it was that close. We did no campaigning,” he said.

Another option the city will consider proposing is a transient occupancy tax or motel tax. It would tax anybody who stays in a vacation rental or recreational vehicle park, with the money funding the police department and tourism promotion.

Regardless, Winkel said, the city is moving up its timeline for doing budget projections. Staff will pull out budget data early next year, hoping to know in January or February exactly how revenue declines will impact the department.

Police Chief Bob Webb was not available to comment, but the department was hoping to use the money to keep its six officers on duty around the clock. The city has said a tight budget next year might prompt layoffs, perhaps an officer or an officer or a records clerk. Since no other towns are close by, mutual aid agreements for emergencies won’t necessarily keep the town covered at all times.

 “We’ll just have to try harder next year,” Bandon council member Mike Claassen said of another levy attempt. “A little bit more effort on our part and a little bit more diligence, and I think we could get it passed.”

The 5-year, $1.1 million operating tax levy would have increased Bandon’s property taxes by 56 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, collecting $221,025 each year beginning in 2010-11.

It costs approximately $100,000 per year to maintain a police officer in Bandon.

Coos County voters rejected a similar levy in 2007 that would have supported the sheriff’s office.