ELECTION Chamber supports renewal of Mahoning, Warren taxes
The chamber says both taxes are vital to their respective communities.
YOUNGSTOWN -- A sales tax renewal in Mahoning County and an income tax renewal in Warren are being endorsed by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
The panel said in a prepared statement that both taxes, which are on the ballot Tuesday, are vital to their respective communities.
Mahoning County voters will be asked to renew a 0.5 percent sales tax that has been on the books for five years. If it's successful, the tax will be on for another five years.
It's one of two 0.5 percent sales taxes in Mahoning County. The other one was renewed in November 2002 and expires in December 2007. Each tax brings in about $12 million a year, and when combined they account for just more than half the county's general fund revenue.
The chamber noted in a prepared statement that 78 of Ohio's 88 counties have a sales tax of at least 1 percent.
The chamber also noted that the cycle of having to renew taxes every five years hinders the county from being able to make long-range financial plans. It suggested that the county look into extending the term of one or both of the taxes.
Warren tax
The Warren issue is a 0.5 percent income tax, which first went on the books three years ago. Revenue from the tax is dedicated to the city's police and fire departments, and the city wants to extend the measure another three years.
The tax brings in about $4.85 million a year. If it's renewed, the city will add eight police officers, bringing the number of officers to 84. If the tax fails the city will reduce the fire department from 75 to 56, and the police department to 66. It will also close satellite fire stations, leaving only the central station downtown open.