Warren city services couldn't absorb loss of income tax

We are firm believers in demanding that government do more with less. Generally, the times require it. Specifically, the stagnant economy of the Mahoning Valley demands it.
However, we are also aware that there is a limit to how much a government entity can do when revenues decrease. The city of Warren has suffered losses of income tax revenue in recent years as industrial jobs have been eliminated. Coping with those losses has not been easy. The city is just now getting its police department back up to a strength of 87 police officers.
Loss of a quarter of the city's income tax revenue now would cripple operations. For that reason, we are endorsing continuation of a 0.5 percent income tax measure that will appear on Tuesday's ballot.
Voters should not panic when they see the word additional in the ballot language Tuesday. It is not a new tax; it is continuation of a tax that is already being collected.
Warren voters will be asked to approve "an additional 0.5 percent income tax for the staffing and operation of the police and fire departments from Jan. 1, 2005 to Dec. 31, 2007." But at the same time that tax would take effect, a previous income tax approved by voters for a three-year period will expire.
No increase involved
The issue represents no increase in taxes and no increase in revenue for the city.
The tax is one quarter of the city's total income tax levy of 2 percent. It produces about $5 million a year in revenue.
While the money from this tax is earmarked for safety forces, loss of the revenue would have an effect on every aspect of city government. The most dramatic loss, however, would be to the safety services.
While we give our full support to passage of the tax, that support does not amount to an endorsement of the status quo in Warren.
Every government entity must continue to find ways to cut costs. Since the largest part of any municipal budget is personnel, that is where cuts must be made. Salaries must be kept in line, increases in health care costs must be shared, overtime must be strictly monitored.
Additionally, in Warren's case, the people have a right to demand stronger accountability in the management of the police department. Chief John Mandopoulos is fond of telling people that how he runs his department is his business, which isn't true. The people pay the tab. It's their business.
That said, defeat of the income tax would not hurt Mandopoulos. It would hurt low-seniority employees in every department; it would hurt the citizens of Warren, who would receive less protection than they deserve and require.
We urge voters to vote yes Tuesday on the city income tax issue.