MAHONING COUNTY Timing of tax vote debated

A November vote could cost the county $3.25 million because of a state law.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners must decide soon whether they'll seek renewal of a 0.5 percent county sales tax in March or November next year.
Commissioners are scheduling public hearings during which they will explain the county's need for the revenue. The dates and locations have not been announced.
"The word has to get out diligently and delicately," Commissioner Ed Reese said.
After the hearings, commissioners will decide whether to seek renewal in March or November, Reese said.
The county has two 0.5 percent sales taxes. One expires Dec. 31, 2004, and the other was renewed in November 2002 for five years. The two taxes combined bring in about $26 million a year, which is about half the county's general-fund revenue, Auditor George Tablack said.
Why date matters
Reese said he's concerned about a March renewal attempt because county sales taxes have not done well in past primary elections. Commissioners also have been criticized for seeking renewals during primaries, when voter turnout generally is low.
"People think we're trying to slip one past them," he said.
But if commissioners wait until November, the county could lose 25 percent of the revenue generated in the first year of collection because of a recent change in state law.
In the past, tax measures that were passed in the fall general election would begin collection at the beginning of the next year. But now, taxes passed in November won't begin collection until April 1 the next year.
Tablack said that could cause the county to lose one-fourth of the revenue for the first year, which would amount to about $3.25 million. He said the county cannot afford to give up that money, especially in dire financial times such as now.
"To just simply forfeit $3.25 million by deferring the election ... I can't find any justification for that action," Tablack said.
Commissioner David Ludt agreed, and said he thinks the board should get the tax on the ballot as soon as possible. If it fails in March, officials could try again in November, he said.
Fighting the delay
Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock said commissioners are seeking help through the County Commissioners Association of Ohio to lobby for eliminating the three-month lag in collection for a November tax issue.
If they are successful, she prefers waiting until November when more people will vote. If not, she agrees that the tax should be on the ballot in March so the county won't lose revenue.
Reese said commissioners already were arranging the public hearings when Tablack raised the issue.
Ludt said it's time for commissioners to consider consolidating the twin taxes into a single, 1 percent tax and ask voters to approve it permanently instead of every five years.
"I think we need to start looking at that right now," Ludt said, noting that the possibility can be discussed during the public hearings.
Reese said the history of the taxes, which have been voted on and off the books, has made it difficult for the county to maintain an even keel on its finances.
Tablack said a permanent tax also would improve the county's credit rating when it comes time to borrow money.