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County commissioners unanimously approve emergency 0.5-percent increase
By Bill Lilley
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008
CANTON: Shoppers in Stark County will be paying more in sales tax beginning April 1.
Commissioners voted unanimously to pass an emergency 0.5-percent sales tax Tuesday morning at their regular meeting.
The increase will move the sales tax in Stark County to 6.5 percent for what Commissioner Todd Bosley, who drafted the resolution, deemed a ''short period of time.''
The additional sales tax would not be included on the sale of motor vehicles.
Bosley said that if there are no initiative petitions drawn by August, the commissioners would repeal a quarter-percent sales tax that is scheduled to expire in 2011.
''We can't repeal the one that is on the books until we're certain that everything is set with the new sales tax,'' Bosley said. ''If there would happen to be a petition filed, we'd have to hold off.''
A petition to put the sales tax hike on the ballot in November would require about 16,000 valid signatures — 10 percent of the number of voters in Stark County in the last gubernatorial election in 2006.
''It's hard enough to get 500 signatures, let alone 16,000,'' Bosley said. ''I don't think we'll have to worry about that situation.''
The repealing of the quarter-percent sales tax would leave a permanent sales tax of 6.25 in Stark County.
Half of the projected $11 million in additional revenue generated by the sales tax increase will be used to create a centralized 911 system. The other $5.5 million will go into the county's general fund.
A 0.1-mill levy that funds 911 centers also will be eliminated as part of the proposal.
Bosley has been a big proponent of centralizing the county's emergency response system. His primary platform during his first run for public
office in 2006 was to change the county's system from 11 localized dispatch systems to one.
''I told people I was going to fix it [the emergency response system] — and I did,'' Bosley said. ''This is the first big step toward making it happen. It took two years for me to make it happen, but I am thrilled that I was able to deliver what I promised during my campaign.''
Commissioner Tom Harmon said the concern about public safety was what motivated him to vote for the resolution.
''The thought of imposing a permanent tax, regardless of how noble the cause, was something I never wanted to do,'' Harmon said. ''But if public safety is in jeopardy, then you have to give it very serious consideration. I had a lot of sleepless nights over this.''
Harmon said his main public-safety concerns were the inefficiency of relaying calls through different local 911 systems and the potential reduction of 9 percent of personnel in the Stark County Sheriff's Department due to lack of funding.
Bosley said the changeover to a centralized dispatching system needs to go in steps to make it a smooth transition. He estimated it would take about 18 months.
''We have 11 dispatch centers right now in the county,'' Bosley said. ''The plan will go into effect in mid-August, and we'll be down to four at that time. Then we will go to two and ultimately to one.
''This was a great day. Everybody is in position to do it. Everybody agrees that we need to do it — and that's somewhat of an historic moment in itself. And today we got the funding to make it happen.''
Bosley said a big factor in making this plan so appealing was that 30 percent of the shopping in Stark County is done by people who live outside the county.
''This is going to save Stark County residents and governments a lot of money in the long run and give them a much more effective 911 system,'' Bosley said.
''Residents will get a break on their property taxes. And the local governments throughout the county that now are spending a collective $7.2 million on dispatching services will be getting a more effective system for free. You can't beat that.''
Bosley said the city of Canton will save $1.7 million that it currently spends on dispatching.
''You can hire more police and fire personnel and get more vehicles,'' Bosley said. ''It's a great situation all the way.''
Harmon and Bosley both took time during the meeting to praise the effort and work of Commissioner Jane Vignos, who was in her final meeting and final day on the job.
Vignos retired after holding public office in Stark County for nearly 30 years, the last eight as a member of the three-person commissioners board.
Bosley is taking Vignos' spot in the Stark Council of Governments. Dr. Peter Ferguson will begin his first term as a county commissioner Saturday.
Bill Lilley can be reached at 330-996-3811 or blilley@thebeaconjournal.com.
CANTON: Shoppers in Stark County will be paying more in sales tax beginning April 1.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 05:57 AM, 12/31/2008
of course it was passed as an emergency they new it would not pass if voted on by the people!!
these politicians should be ousted
Posted 07:01 AM, 12/31/2008
Why aren't cars taxed? What more do these people need to stay in business?
Portland, OR
Posted 02:55 PM, 01/01/2009
This story is being repeated across the country...Local and state tax jurisdictions have decreased revenues - and face a difficult choice - cut services or increase taxes. It's time to consider restructuring the entire tax code - local, state and federal.
