WARREN Council debates cop, fire tax split

A decision must be made before the Dec. 18 filing deadline.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City council members are divided on whether to split or keep intact an income tax for the safety forces.
Council gave first reading at its meeting Tuesday to two pieces of legislation sponsored by Councilman James A. "Doc" Pugh, D-6th, which would place on the ballot two separate issues of 0.25 percent each for the police and fire departments.
If placed on the March 2 ballot and approved by voters, it also would make the income taxes temporary, beginning Jan. 1, 2005, and continuing through Dec. 31, 2007.
Another ordinance
The panel gave second reading to another ordinance to place a question on the March 2 primary ballot to make the 0.5-percent income tax for both departments permanent.
The 0.5-percent income tax for both departments, passed in 2001, runs out at the end of 2004.
Pugh said that based on people he's spoken to in his ward, he doesn't believe the combined tax will pass. He cited recent problems in the police department as the reason.
"I had no hidden agenda other than to serve the citizens who put me in office," he said.
Chief John Mandopoulos declined to state a position on the income tax until council members decide what they will do.
To appear on the March 2 primary ballot, council must submit information to the Trumbull County Board of Elections by Dec. 18.
Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large, said not supporting the police department isn't going to reduce crime in the city. When there were scandals in the city's engineering department involving contracts and a former water department employee was charged with taking money, those departments' budgets weren't slashed, Fonce said.
What voters were told
When the tax was passed in 2001, voters were told that it would be temporary for three years and then they would be asked to approve it permanently, he said.
"I'm a firm believer that when you promise the citizens something, you carry out that promise," Fonce said.
Councilman Alford L. Novak, D-2nd, opposes making the tax permanent and isn't ready to support the split because there hasn't been any public input on it. He believes the city should fulfill its pledge made in 2001 to employ 84 police officers before requesting a tax.
Councilwoman Virginia Bufano, D-1st, also opposed a permanent tax. She said she likes the legislation introduced by Pugh but wants to review it further.
"I can never ever ask people to be taxed permanently," Bufano said.
Mayor Hank Angelo has said he opposes the tax split.
denise.dick@vindy.com