YOUNGSTOWN County sales tax remains on ballot

Commissioners tabled three resolutions aimed at imposing the sales tax.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County voters will decide on a 0.5 percent sales tax on the ballot in November.
County commissioners, however, are keeping their options open just in case it fails.
The tax, which generates some $12 million a year, will expire Dec. 31.
Commissioners had debated whether to seek a renewal by voters or to simply impose it themselves.
At their meeting Tuesday, commissioners considered resolutions to impose the tax for five years, 10 years or indefinitely. All three resolutions died for a lack of a motion.
Keeping options open
Commissioners Ed Reese and David Ludt then voted to table all three resolutions, saying they want the issue to go before voters but still want the ability to impose the tax should that be necessary later.
"I want options for the county. I don't want to put the county in a bind," Ludt said after the meeting.
Reese said he has concerns about putting the tax on the ballot including the fact that it will compete with several other tax issues.
Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock said she is against imposing the tax. She said that there is already a lack of trust in county government and that imposing it would further undermine that trust.