WARREN Tax target: out-of-city contractors, workers

Failing to register with the city would be a misdemeanor.
WARREN -- The city plans to go after businesses and individuals who come into the city and perform work, in an effort to ensure a more efficient collection of income taxes.
Councilman Alford Novak, D-2nd, is bringing legislation forth that would require all out-of-town companies and individuals to register with the city's compliance coordinator before performing any services.
Among others, the legislation targets contractors and subcontractors that provide utilities, waterproofing, flooring, painting, landscaping, extermination, pool maintenance and janitorial services. Failure to comply with the ordinance would result in the filing of misdemeanor charges.
Novak brought similar legislation forward earlier in the year, but withdrew it for fine-tuning.
Spreading the word: He told council's finance committee Tuesday that signs would be posted at the city limits, announcing the policy.
Jim Ries, an assistant law director, has advised that the city's income tax administrator contact businesses in the city to let them know of the policy, including hospitals and courts, Novak said.
At-large Councilman-elect Gary Fonce commended Novak for the legislation, calling it long overdue.
He said doctors and lawyers who come into the city to practice should also be targeted because of the salaries they command.
Novak told the committee that legislation is being drawn up to reflect changes that will be proposed in the near future regarding registration and bonding of contractors who seek permits to work in the city.
He did not elaborate.