TRUMBULL COUNTY Adult club faces tax review

The club would not be required to pay a room tax.
By PEGGY SINKOVICHand STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HARTFORD -- An adult club that has operated at a township home for 25 years has not paid a tax normally due from businesses, county prosecutors have determined.
The Trumbull County Auditor's Office will mail a letter to Country Home this week calling on club operator Kay Hovis to file tax paperwork on her inventory, said auditor David Hines.
Businesses are normally required to pay personal property tax to the county auditor on inventory or equipment worth more than $10,000, officials say. Businesses that neglect to file a return for personal property tax, however, can be required to pay taxes on inventory or equipment worth more than $5,000.
Items shown on Web site
Before the club's Web site was taken down last week, it showed pictures of furnished club rooms with two refrigerators, a hot tub, big-screen television and leather swing.
These items are potentially taxable, officials said. Their tax value would be calculated using a formula that takes into account how long ago they were purchased.
Club officials could not be reached to comment. In a previous conversation, however, Hovis said she does not run a business but holds private parties. Cost of admission to the parties, up to $75 for a single male, was listed on the Web site.
Although the club did advertise limited overnight accommodations, it has fewer than five rooms and so is not required to pay the county's 4 percent room tax, said Jason Earnhard, an assistant county prosecutor.
Hot tub needs license
The county health department is waiting for a response from a letter last week calling on the club to submit plans for a license for the hot tub.
The letter, mailed Tuesday, gave club owners seven days from the date of receipt to respond.
If the club does not comply, or if the tub does not meet health department standards, the department could close it to public use, health department officials said.
The club has operated 25 years without any problems, township officials said.
Atty. Mark Finamore, legal counsel for Hartford Township, has said that no one has filed a complaint against the club.
sinkovich@vindy.comsiff@vindy.com