Former mayor raps request for new tax

The former mayor also criticized another of council's decisions.
By ERIC GROSSO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEWTON FALLS -- The village's former mayor says he doesn't support the proposed 0.5-percent income tax after looking at recent numbers released by the city.
At Monday's village council meeting, former Mayor Patrick Layshock said council was wrong in asking for the increase. Layshock said the numbers he's looked at don't show the community needs the increase.
He noted that part of the deficit faced by the city includes $50,000 budgeted to renegotiate a new cable service agreement, yet citizens already pay a franchise fee to the city on their cable bill. He said the city collected $400,000 last year, but failed to set aside anything for this year's negotiations, and had more than $50,000 in revenue last year.
At the meeting, Village Manager David Watson said the cost of proposal to negotiating the contract will be closer to $15,000.
Labor contract
Layshock also wanted Watson to take part in future labor contract negotiations, instead of outsourcing the service. The city is hoping to use $25,000 toward future labor negotiations with city workers.
"When we used outside consultants to handle the contracts, it left us in shambles," Layshock said.
Layshock also contended council made a poor decision in entering into a two-year agreement last month for lawn-cutting services in the amount of $50,000.
"I've been there, and I've made mistakes, too. I'm not anti-tax, but council really needs to take a look at the numbers," Layshock said.
Council decided to put the proposed increase on the May 2 primary ballot after facing a $140,000 deficit this year. The change would bring the city's total income tax rate to 1.5 percent, raising $140,000 this year and $285,000 next year, according to city council.