ASHTABULA — City Council declared war on potholes at Monday night’s work session by asking the solicitor to draw up a resolution placing a special .15 percent income tax increase on the November ballot.
If approved, the three-year tax will raise $500,000 a year specifically for street repair and resurfacing.
“This is on top of money now used for paving streets,” said City Manager Anthony Cantagallo, who urged council to take action if it wants to place the increase before the electors. “Time is flying and we have to get going.”
At its July 7 meeting, council removed a resolution from the agenda that would have placed the question of whether to raise real estate taxes on the Nov. 4 ballot. The action came after council heard former council president Robert Beacom’s reasons why he dislikes such a tax.
Alicia McFarland, the city’s economic development director, said Monday she believes an income tax has a better chance of passing than a real estate tax. This way, the people who are working and using the streets to drive to work are paying, she said.
Ward 2 Councilman Bernie Roskovics agreed.
City Auditor Michael Zullo said an income tax lets others pay the bill.
Cantagallo said he expects to spend about $5,000 on advertising and informing the public on the income tax increase and the necessity of it.
Northeast Ohio’s weather is perfect for tearing up roads. Water damages asphalt if it gets underneath and causes it to erode. During winter, the freezing and unfreezing of water is a major contributor to street damage, council members said.
The deadline for getting paperwork to the Ashtabula County Election Board is Aug. 21.
The resolution for a special income tax will be on Monday’s agenda for council’s approval, City Solicitor Michael Franklin said.
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Back on the ballot
Ashtabula council looks at income tax for city roads
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