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Ravenna: Issue is not a new tax Group created to promote levy

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Diane Smith
March 11, 2009

By Diane Smith
Record-Courier staff writer
A team of city officials is laying the groundwork for promoting the income tax issue on the May ballot.
The group, which calls itself Citizens for the Ravenna Levy, will be promoting Issue 2, the 0.25 percent income tax issue. The issue would keep the city's income tax rate at 2 percent.
"Not a new tax" will be the theme of the levy campaign.
The income tax was enacted in 1979, when the city's water plant burned down and was replaced by the existing water plant at Lake Hodgson. The bonds will be paid off this year, and the levy is due to expire Dec. 31.
Although the measure is technically a new tax and not a renewal, the city's income tax would remain unchanged. However, since the purpose of the measure is changing to fund operations at the water plant, the ballot language must refer to the issue as an "additional tax."
Finance Director Kim Cecora will be the treasurer of the campaign, and Councilman Bruce Rieblin will be the chairman. Several city officials have made small personal donations toward the fund.
The city's police and AFSCME unions will be asked to support the levy, which the city's firefighters union already has done.
"This is a very critical issue," Mayor Kevin Poland said, noting that other cities are enacting layoffs or considering reducing their credit to tax paid to other cities, which he wants to avoid.
"We're really trying to weather this economic downturn, however, without these funds, that's going to be difficult."
Council members noted that senior citizens do not pay the tax, and 86 percent of Ravenna taxpayers live outside the city. However, without the income tax, city officials have said water rates may rise.
"People who come into our city to work are already paying their fair share," Utilities Director David Merleno said. "But if not, the residents are going to have to pick it up."
The committee will meet in the weeks ahead to design a brochure to distribute to residents, a yard sign and advertisements to run in April.
"
Email:
dsmith@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-298-1139




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 2 Total Comments
2.
    Posted by Fair Tax March 11, 2009
I don't live in Ravenna, but, I do think the voters should vote no on this income tax issue. The water department is considered a utility and its operations should only be funded through user charges not though ANY type of tax. To ask people that work in Ravenna but live elsewhere should not be mandated to pay for a utility they do not use, in fact it would almost be like double charging since their employer would also be paying.

This also goes against governmental accounting because utility operations financial measurement is based on assuring that user charges are sufficient to cover costs, if charges are insufficient than charges need to be raised. This situation does not seem to exist so the government is asking tax payers to pay more taxes than the amount required.

I would advise that a group of citizens organize and oppose this unfair issue. Good luck.

1.
    Posted by DoWhatsRight March 11, 2009
They should be cutting taxes . If we reduce the tax people will have more money to spend and help the economy instead of it going into the politicians pockets. I think these people stay up nights trying to think how to get more taxes out of us. The charge every property in the city $6.00 to get rid of storm water. Hell we paid for all the storm drains before and now the want $6.00 a month to use them. Next they will be charging you for the fire department to respond to a fire and the police to respond to your call. Ask yourself, What do I get for my tax money, and is it worth it?

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