As
reported in an article in the Saturday, 2/1/14 News Journal the Mayor and
committee members voiced their views and concerns about the street
maintenance and repair budget.
The
Mayor stated that it would cost $1 million per year to maintain the
streets. This year's budget includes $886,000 for the streets
department,,leaving a $115,000 shortfall.
The
option of increasing the income (earnings) tax, as was discussed,
would generate an estimated $2 million and require a ballot issue. A
household earning $60,000 a year would have to pay $25 per month in
increased taxes.
The
other option mentioned was placing a property tax levy on the ballot.
This writer has been pushing this option since 2008 when R&L
trucking moved their vehicle registration out of state taking
$700,000 street and bridge money with them. A two mill tax would
generate an estimated $473,000 per year based on 2012 total property
values. The levy would cost homeowners $6 per month for each $100,000
of home value, Qualified (born before 1949) senior homeowners would
pay just $4.38 per month.
It
was reported that the Mayor has been lobbying the state to change
commercial registration policies in order bring R&L back to Oho
registration. Two years ago the legislature did just that but R&L
has not changed. In any event, even if the company did return, no new
dollars would flow to the city.
Research
indicates that the city had been receiving the R&L registration
money in error going back to when the company moved from its original
location on Ludovic St. in the city to county locations.
Breakdown
of 2013 streets funding sources:
Vehicle
registration: $146,709
http://services.dps.ohio.gov/TaxDistribution/Pages/Public/ParameterSelection.aspx
Gasoline
tax: $356,396 (city auditor)
Transfer
from taxpayer's general fund $372,253 (2014 $469,527)
Minus
$108,000 for new street construction bond payment.
Paul
Hunter paulhunter45155@gmail.com
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