JEFFERSON — A majority of Ashtabula County commissioners approved a transfer tax increase meant to salvage the county’s tax map room.
By a 2-1 vote, the board approved legislation that will hike the tax from 20 cents to 30 cents per $100 of valuation effective June 12. The tax is paid by the seller of real estate or a manufactured home. The tax could raise between $80,000 and $100,000 through the rest of the year, depending on the number of property sales, officials said.
Commissioner Daniel Claypool said the increase is regrettable, but necessary to maintain the map room, used extensively by real estate firms. The tax hike idea, first broached in March, had the blessing of other county officials and local real estate companies.
“Two public hearings have told us how critical the map room is,” Claypool said. “There are no other alternatives to fund (the room).”
Other counties across northeast Ohio use a similar tax to operate their map rooms, he said.
Commissioner Peggy Carlo said the extra expense incurred by the tax can always be negotiated with the real estate agent.
“This point in time it’s something we need to do,” she said. “(The map room) provides a service realtors need and want.”
Opposed to the tax was Commissioner Joe Moroski, who said an added expense to taxpayers is unwise. The tax would have a “disproportional effect” on residents, especially senior citizens, he said.
Claypool challenged Moroski on his stance.
“It’s easy to vote no,” he said. “Are there any other alternatives to keep the map room?”
Moroski replied the county has always found money for priority projects. “(The tax hike) is a bad idea in this economy.”
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