Web site calculates levy costs

The information is meant to help voters be better informed on tax issues.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Property owners in Mahoning County who want to find out how much a proposed tax levy will cost them can find out on the Internet.
The county auditor's office has added a feature to its Web site that calculates how much a proposed levy would increase the land owner's taxes.
The Web site is www.mahoningcountyauditor.org.
Auditor's comments
Auditor George Tablack said the information might help people decide how they will vote on levies that will affect them. The information is not meant as an endorsement or opposition to any levies, he said.
"We just felt that from a government standpoint, it's probably better that they know right up front what that levy will cost them," Tablack said.
He said the site and information will be updated each year to coincide with proposed levies on the ballot in future elections.
After calling up the Web site, property owners can click on the button for a property search to find their parcel. A search can be done by address, parcel number of the owner's name.
When the correct parcel is found, a tab menu appears at the top of the screen. Clicking on the one that says "levy info" will bring up the levy information.
"Now the residents will know exactly what these tax levies will mean to them in dollars and cents," Tablack said.
bjackson@vindy.com