YOUNGSTOWN Residents debate income tax increase

Increasing the city income tax isn't as simple as voting yes, some residents say.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Residents inside and outside the city have more to say about the proposed half-percent income tax increase than just yes or no.
There are a myriad of reasons for how people will vote, and just as many other thoughts from people who would be affected by the tax.
First, some of the 35 people asked about the tax via e-mail want to know the reason for the increase.
The increase, to 2.75 percent, would generate about $7.2 million. The tax applies to individuals who live or work in the city, and corporate income.
What increase would cover
The new revenue would be spread three ways: police, 45 percent; fire, 35 percent; and capital improvements, 20 percent. If the tax passes, city officials have pledged to immediately recall and keep the 15 firefighters and 11 officers who now are laid off.
That appeals to Cathy Guyan of Youngstown. Residents owe the community and the public safety forces the best in staffing, equipment and training, she said.
That means she should vote for the tax, but Guyan still hesitates.
"I can't help but wonder if the problem is not too little money but the improper allocation of what we do have," she said.
Jerry O'Hara of Youngstown agrees. He calls the proposed tax a necessary evil that taxpayers need to accept.
That's not the end of the issue, though, O'Hara said.
"We, the taxpayers have the responsibility to hold our public officials accountable for the dollars we send them," he said.
Accountability is central in many minds.
More cuts?
Connie Prejs of Youngstown remains under the impression that not enough has been cut despite Mayor George M. McKelvey and other leaders pointing to layoffs as demonstrating the city's need.
"They need to get all the fat -- relatives and friends who do nothing but collect a paycheck -- out of city hall before they seriously consider asking people for an increase," she said. "In a word, I'm voting no."
John W. Riley of Petersburg won't pay the tax since he doesn't live or work in the city. That doesn't mean, however, that he doesn't care about whether the tax passes and the effect it will have.
"What happens in Youngstown affects all of Mahoning County. We need to see results for our tax money, not just more political promises," he said.
Diane E. Hunsbarger of Youngstown, a lifelong resident, is willing to pay to improve the city. However, she wants to see a clear direction. Right now, she sees too much indecisive leadership on key issues.
"It's time to choose a course and step up to bat," she said.
Poor money management and the resulting bad service already drove Eric Cromwell out of the city to Poland.
Cromwell still works in the city, however, so he would be affected by the tax increase. While not possible now, he would rather see a sales tax on items such as pop and cigarettes sold in Youngstown.
"Let's do a more fair tax like an additional sales tax for things that are purchased in Youngstown," he said.
Ronald Ross expects to leave the city and take the $1,200 he pays in income tax with him if the half-percent increase passes.
Too many city residents on government assistance don't pay the tax, he said, and he is tired of supporting them. Water and sewer bills are going up, too, while property value remains the same or drops, Ross said.
"There is no way I would support paying another half percent," he said. "Why even live in the city?"
A different take
Gary Capone, who lives in Austintown but works in the city, has a completely different take on the proposed tax increase.
He doesn't understand raising taxes on workers when Youngstown keeps losing jobs to the suburbs.
"There has to be an inverse mathematical relationship between the decreasing amount of people that work in Youngstown and the increasing amount they are assessed," Capone said.
rgsmith@vindy.com