Officials postpone vote on half-percent sales tax until May

By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Columbiana County commissioners said they will wait until May to try to persuade voters to pass a half-percent sales tax.
The commissioners had considered putting the tax before voters in a special election in February. Voters did not approve a new sales tax earlier this month.
"We are not going to go with a special election," Jim Hoppel, chairman of the commissioners, said Wednesday.
The county elections board would have charged the commissioners more than $50,000 for the special election.
"It's likely we can put it on in May and if it hopefully passes, we can see whether we can borrow against it," Hoppel said.
Even if voters approve the tax, county officials said they face a tight budget.
County cuts
The tax that brought in $4 million over 12 months expired Aug. 31. Hoppel said the loss of the tax already has cut county revenue $300,000 this year.
Hoppel said county officeholders have asked for a total of $20 million in 2006. The county will spend about $18 million this year.
If the tax passes and the commissioners borrow against the revenue in 2006, there will be less money to work with in 2007. If the tax is defeated again in May, it would leave the county trying to operate $4 million short in 2006, Hoppel said.
"We can't legitimately run the county with that [shortfall]," Hoppel said.
Rumors have begun that some county offices have already been told they will be closed. Other offices, such as the courts, can order the commissioners to provide funding.
"There have been discussions with some of the officeholders, but nothing has been finalized yet," Hoppel said.
The commissioners will take a look at the range of county spending to see where spending can be cut, Hoppel said.
The commissioners say they plan to have a budget prepared by mid-December for the first three months of 2006.
wilkinson@vindy.com