MAHONING COUNTY Voters to see sales tax on ballot
Public hearings on the tax will be at the courthouse.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners were expected to vote today on placing a county sales tax before voters and on accepting the resignation of the county's longtime dog warden, who is retiring.
Commissioners will have public hearings on the sales tax June 15 and June 24. Both will be at 10 a.m. in the commissioners' hearing room, located in the courthouse basement.
In the past, commissioners had sales tax hearings in the evenings at sites away from the courthouse, but Commissioner David Ludt said few people -- other than county officials and employees -- ever attended.
In March, voters rejected a five-year renewal of a 0.5 percent sales tax that expires at the end of this year. The tax brings in about $12.5 million to $13 million a year, accounting for about one-fourth of the county's annual general fund revenue.
Commissioners have said they'll try for passage of a sales tax again in the November general election, but have not decided on an amount or time limit.
They could seek another five-year renewal, or could ask voters to approve a permanent tax. They're also mulling whether to combine the expiring 0.5 percent tax with another 0.5 percent tax that expires in three years, for a continuing, 1-percent tax.
"The hearings will cover all options," Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock said.
Commissioner Ed Reese said passage of a tax is crucial to the county government's continued operation.
"There's no way that a government can run on a half-percent tax," Reese said. He said the tax, originally voted on the books in 1982, has become a "political football" among county government critics who've led charges to have it voted off the books in the past.
Warden to retire
Commissioners also planned to accept the resignation of dog warden Carol Markovich, who is retiring at the end of the month. Markovich has worked at the department for 33 years, including the last 14 at the helm.
Her father, Daniel E. Pecchio, preceded her as dog warden, holding the post for 42 years. Her grandfather, Andrew Pecchio, also had served eight years as dog warden, all in Mahoning County.
"It's the end of an era," Sherlock said.
She said a plaque will be mounted at the dog pound complex on Industrial Road, on the city's West Side, honoring the Pecchio family's years of commitment to the department.
"Her family has been a part of public service for a long time," Reese said.
Connie Pierce, county human resources director, said more than 30 people have applied to replace Markovich. Ludt said a screening committee will be named to help select a new dog warden.
In the meantime, commissioners said someone from the dog warden's staff will probably be tapped to serve as an interim dog warden, handing day-to-day business until a permanent replacement is hired.
bjackson@vindy.com