Recordpub.com - Garrettsville voters to see income tax hike for third time

By Don Jovich
Record-Courier staff writer
GARRETTSVILLE " To ensure core services will be maintained for residents, Village Council has placed Issue 33, an income tax increase, on the Nov. 6 ballot.
This will be the third time village voters have weighed in on a tax increase. In May, a 0.25-percent income tax hike failed to garner enough votes for passage. The measure was defeated, 262 votes to 166. A tax hike issue also was deafed by village voters in November 2006.
"Clearly we need an annual revenue increase to maintain our core services at an adequate level and my preference remains with an income tax rate increase of 0.25 percent," said Mayor Craig Moser.
He said the ballot measure is a vehicle to add needed funds to the village coffers.
"The village is in a financial bind and this will help us," Moser said. "It won't cure us."
According to Moser, village income taxes were down $56,000 in 2006 compared to the previous year.
If approved by voters, the tax hike would raise an estimated $150,000 annually and would be used mainly to bolster the police force with 24-hour service.
This works out to an additional $87.50 for a household income of $35,000 for those who live and work in Garrettsville.
Moser noted that this estimate was made before the unforeseen closing of Amweld Building Products.
"Now, because we're losing Amweld, we will likely see our 2008 revenues decrease by over $86,500 a year and the 0.25 percent tax increase will bring in about $135,500, not $150,000 as previously estimated," Moser said.
The new tax rate would become effective Jan. 1, 2008.
There is currently a 1 percent income tax on all salaries, wages, commissions and other financial compensation for everyone who lives in or performs work within the village.
Additionally, village residents receive a 50 percent credit for taxes paid to another city up to 1 percent.
Approximately 66 percent of the village's income is derived from taxes collected. Benefits to residents derived from the income tax are numerous.
The income maintains two parks, two cemeteries and the street lights. It provides 24-hour police protection, maintenance of the streets including paving and repairs, and plowing of the streets and sidewalks.
In addition, the village collects branch clippings on the first Monday of each month, starting in April and running through November.
The income tax also provides for the repair and upkeep of the storm sewers.
"As you can see, there are many uses for the money received from the income taxes, all of which are beneficial to the residents of Garrettsville," Moser said. "Help us keep Garrettsville moving forward."