Village officials hope a new monthly fee, taking effect in just three days, will provide the funding needed for that addition.

"The one thing that we do have on the budget that is coming on this year is the street light fee," said Bellaire chair of finances Troy Johnson.

Johnson said charging residents a fee for the village's street lights, could put a lot of money back into the police department's general fund.

"It's a cooperative thing here between the administration and the police department and the business community," said Kovalyk.

An added bill for street lights isn't exactly lightening the mood of Bellaire residents.

"It starts with the first bill, and it's $3 per month, per unit," said Johnson.

Johnson said three dollars is the minimum harm that can be done to residents' budgets in hopes of getting the best possible outcome for Bellaire, more police protection.

"Right now we're down an officer. We've had a couple leave. We've replaced one and we're hoping to get the other replaced after the first of the year," said Kovalyk.

Last year the use of street lights cost the village $91,253. With the new fee, street lights will only cost the village an estimated $24,000. That will free up around $77,000 for the police department's general fund.

"We've got an optimistic outlook for 2011," said Kovalyk.

Johnson says the overall reason for the struggling budget is a lack of state funding.

He said when new businesses come to Bellaire, they can't afford the tax hikes the village is forced to make to keep their budget afloat.

This summer, the village will hold a special election for a 2.5 mil levy in hopes of further alleviating the police department's general fund.

For Kovalyk and the village of Bellaire, that positive outlook may just keep the lights on at their police department.