TRUMBULL COUNTY Voters must decide on tax collection

Voters could see an explanation of the issue in their utility bills.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- If the city wants to keep collecting taxes the way it always has, voters need to give it their approval.
Council gave first reading Wednesday to legislation allowing an issue to appear on the November ballot letting voters determine whether Niles residents who own businesses outside the city should continue to be taxed by the city.
Law Director J. Terrence Dull said currently Niles taxes the wages of people who own businesses outside the city limits but live in Niles. But the Ohio Board of Elections recently ruled that any municipality that collects those taxes must put the issue before voters.
"If we want to continue to collect the taxes the way we have been collecting them, it needs to go on the ballot," Dull said.
Mayor Ralph A. Infante said to date, voters in 20 municipalities with the same tax codes as Niles have approved the issue, but five other cities have voted it down.
"Everyone who collects taxes this way has to put it before the voters," he said.
Not an increase
Treasurer Richard Bullock said the ballot issue is not a tax increase for voters, but rather a request of voters to keep taxes the way they are.
Councilman Steve Papalas suggested that an explanation of the ballot request be sent to city residents through utility bills.
Also at the meeting, first reading was given to an ordinance that would change the qualifications and duties of the billing office manager.
Infante said three people were interviewed for the vacant position, and current emergency management coordinator Tom Telego was the best person for the job.
The legislation would allow Telego to work as billing clerk for the salary of $41,000, but still perform the duties of emergency management coordinator for no additional pay. Telego earns $500 per month as coordinator.
"It actually will save the city some money, about $5,000," Infante said.
Council was expected to meet in special session at 9 a.m. today and Friday to pass the ordinances introduced Wednesday.
slshaulis@vindy.com