Mahoning Co. tax levy sought

& lt;a href=mailto:bjackson@vindy.com & gt;By BOB JACKSON & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners have started the process toward seeking renewal of a county sales tax next year, but they still have not decided when to put it before voters.
Commissioners voted Thursday to hold public hearings at 10 a.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 16 in their hearing room, in the courthouse basement.
After those hearings, commissioners will decide whether to place the 0.5 percent tax on the ballot in March or November 2004. The tax, which brings in about $12 million a year, expires Dec. 31, 2004.
If commissioners decide to seek renewal in the March primary, they must pass a resolution for the board of elections by Dec. 18.
Urging March ballot
Auditor George Tablack urged commissioners to get the measure on the March ballot. He said a recent change in state law would cause the county to lose three months of collection if they wait until November. That would amount to more than $3 million, which the county can't afford to lose, Tablack said.
Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock said the panel also must decide whether to continue setting aside a portion of sales tax revenue for distribution to townships and municipalities, which use the money for local development projects.
When commissioners campaigned for passage of the tax in 1999, they promised to earmark 25 percent of the revenue for special projects.
Ten percent of the revenue goes toward the community development grant program, and 5 percent shares are set aside for road projects, economic development and other discretionary spending.
Springfield Township Trustee Lee Kohler said if commissioners cut the funding program, it will be difficult to garner sales tax support among the townships.
"To me, it would be like cutting off your right hand," he said.
Kohler is president of the county's township trustees and clerks association.
& lt;a href=mailto:bjackson@vindy.com & gt;bjackson@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;