SPECIAL ELECTION Panel urges putting tax on ballot

One councilman believes the tax's chances for passage are better in August.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City council's finance committee has recommended passage of legislation to place the 0.5 percent income tax renewal on an August special election ballot.
"We want to get people out who are going to vote for it," said Councilman Robert Holmes III, D-4th, one of the legislation sponsors. "I personally think it has a better chance in August than it does in November."
The income tax generates about $5 million annually for the police and fire departments.
The legislation is on the agenda for tonight's regular council meeting. To be on a ballot in an Aug. 3 special election, the legislation must be delivered to the Trumbull County Board of Elections by May 20. A special election will cost the city about $29,000.
The tax passed in 2001 for three years and expires at the end of the year. If placed on the ballot and approved by voters, the tax would run from Jan. 1, 2005 through Dec. 31, 2007. Voters rejected the tax in March.
Clearing up ballot language
Although the language to be on the ballot uses the word additional to describe the tax, council members stressed that it involves no new money over what residents and workers are paying now.
The language is determined by the Ohio Secretary of State's office and read additional on the March ballot because it's an income tax rather than a property tax.
"The key word we should be using is renewal," said Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large.
Councilwoman Susan E. Hartman, D-7th, another sponsor of the legislation, doesn't believe the tax has a better chance of passing in August. But she believes that the uncertainty of the city's finances is causing qualified candidates for jobs in the police and fire departments to look for jobs elsewhere.
Councilman Robert L. Dean Jr., D-at large, said he's ridden in patrol cars with two police officers, one with two years on the job and the other with four years, who are looking for jobs in other states because they don't know if they'll have jobs if the tax fails.
Pledge to increase force
Doug Franklin, safety-service director, said the city is trying to keep the pledge it made before the tax passed in 2001 to increase the police department to 84 officers. The department staffs 75.
"We're trying to keep that promise," he said.
Auditor David Griffing agreed that August is the best time to try to pass the tax because the budget process for 2005 begins in September. Earlier passage would help in planning for the new year, he said.
Councilman Alford L. Novak, D-2nd, said that the loss of members of the safety forces could result in higher insurance premiums for residents and businesses because of the risk to safety.
"The thing we can't lose sight of is it's a safety issue," said Councilman Felipe Romain Jr., D-at large.