MAHONING COUNTY Officials support sales tax renewal

Officials stressed that it's a renewal, not a new tax.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County officials gathered in the courthouse rotunda Wednesday to show their support for a 0.5 percent county sales tax, on the ballot for renewal March 2.
The tax is one of two 0.5 percent taxes on the books in the county, and expires Dec. 31. The other was renewed for five years in 2002. The taxes bring in about $12 million a year apiece, which combined accounts for about half the county's general fund revenue.
Treasurer John Reardon stressed that voters are being asked to renew an existing tax, not approve a new one.
"This is not a tax increase," Reardon said.
Commissioner David Ludt said a sales tax is the fairest method of funding county services because the burden is not placed solely on county residents. Reardon said nearly 30 percent of sales tax revenue is generated by people who live outside the county.
"It's the fairest way we can go," Ludt said. "If you don't buy anything, you don't have to pay it."
Reardon said the tax does not apply to groceries, rent, mortgages or prescription drugs.
If it fails?
"If this tax fails, it will precipitate the layoff of hundreds of people in county government," Reardon said. "That is our financial reality."
If the renewal is defeated in March, commissioners can put it back on the ballot in November. However, because of a change in state law, the county would not be able to collect tax revenue for the first quarter of 2005, which would be about a $3 million loss.
Struthers Mayor Daniel Mamula spoke in support of the tax, and said the county needs the measure in place so it can have a steady revenue stream.
A similar event is planned next week, with local labor representatives to speak in support of the tax.