Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
ASHTABULA COUNTY IN FINANCIAL PERIL
Board approves sales-tax increase by 2-1 vote
JEFFERSON — The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 to increase the county’s sales-and-use tax by one-half percent and place the issue before voters on the May ballot.
If unchallenged, the increase becomes effective April 1. However, John Kusar of Austinburg Township told commissioners a referendum challenge will be started on Monday, effectively crippling the measure. The county cannot collect the tax while there is a successful referendum challenge awaiting a vote. Further, because of the timing involved in obtaining signatures, having the petitions certified and the required lead time to an election, the referendum issue would appear only on November’s ballot, six months after voters decide it in the primary.
The vote came after more than two hours of public testimony both in favor of and against the tax, and a work session in which the original resolution was amended to include the May ballot option. Originally, commissioners planned to put the issue before voters on the November ballot.
There were no surprises in the final vote: Commissioners Daniel Claypool and Peggy Carlo stuck to their stance that
the county needed to get increased revenues flowing as soon as possible to avert severe cuts to county services, while Commissioner Joseph Moroski held his ground of no taxation without a prior vote of the citizens.
“Certainly, the voters in May could very well tell us that they don’t want a sales tax,” Moroski said. “But if they do, we will have given them that choice and will just have to deal with our present situation sooner rather than later.”
That “present situation” involves a budget shortfall of nearly $3 million that threatens to immobilize the sheriff’s department and the offices of the treasurer, recorder, auditor, commissioners, planning department and clerk of courts.
Throughout the hearing and work session, Claypool spoke of achieving a balance between maintaining essential county services while giving voters their right to determine the level of county government they want.
“You have to find a balance. That is what I would propose … to find a balance,” Claypool said during the work session. “Taxpayers have a right to determine the level of services they are willing to pay for.”
Friction between the two viewpoints momentarily erupted into flames during the work session as Moroski and Claypool exchanged barbs over how to make up the $1 million the county will lose in potential tax revenue while it awaits the voters’ final say. Neither side could offer a plan as to how commissioners will salvage essential services should voters reject the tax on the May ballot.
Moroski went through a similar struggle in 2005, when then-commissioners Deborah Newcomb and Robert Boggs Jr. attempted to pass an emergency sales-tax measure. The issue went to the voters, who defeated it by a margin of nearly 4-1. Moroski predicted that, given the county’s actual unemployment rate of nearly 20 percent, the issue won’t fare any better in May.
“We’re going to have a lot of desperate, hard decisions to make this year,” Moroski said.
- Local News
-
-
County men nabbed in theft ring case
Three Ohio men, including two from Ashtabula County, are in Mercer County Jail for running a theft ring that stole video games and systems from Walmart stores and then sold them for cash, according to authorities in Pennsylvania.
-
Police cite restaurant owner in parking lot dispute
A Bridge Street restaurant owner was summoned into Municipal Court after an argument Saturday over parking, according to police and court records.
-
2010 vintage could turn out well, despite May frost
About four months ago, Gene Sigel looked out over his fledgling vineyard of chardonnay and saw the ground white with frost.
-
Three serious crashes keep county emergency crews busy
Three serious crashes kept emergency crews busy Wednesday afternoon and closed area roads for more than an hour.
-
Lee officially named Conneaut fire chief
With his appointment finally squared away, Steve Lee is anxious to dive into his new duties as Conneaut’s fire chief.
-
Madison looks for solutions to fix problems on Safford Street
Village officials held a meeting Tuesday morning with the general contractor and engineers involved with the Safford Street project to discuss several problems found within the project.
-
This weekend, labor more for gasoline
Labor Day weekend starts today and with it higher gas prices seem to be popping up around Ashtabula County.
-
First Profile Breakfast cracks tough subject: health care reform
The Profiles of Ashtabula County Breakfast Series kicked off Wednesday at Kent State University-Ashtabula with the topic of health care reform.
-
School district looks forward to new field house, administration building
Jefferson Area Local School district students and administrators have a lot of new things to look forward to throughout this school year.
-
Pa. fugitive caught in Conneaut awaits hearing
A Pennsylvania fugitive tracked to Conneaut and arrested this week is awaiting an extradition hearing that could send him back to Erie County, Pa., according to reports.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County men nabbed in theft ring case
