Garage sale fee increase is revisited

The original ordinance amendment was defeated in earlier this summer.
By ERIC GROSSO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEWTON FALLS -- With two recent council meetings ending with members on different sides of a proposed fee increase, lawmakers unanimously passed a new ordinance amendment.
If the ordinance change passes for its second reading next month, there will be a fee increase in garage sale permits. Starting Jan. 1, the new fee will be a nonrefundable $5, instead of the current refundable $5 fee.
In July, council voted on the same ordinance, but at that time the ordinance called for a nonrefundable $10 fee. After passing the first reading, lawmakers defeated the fee increase ordinance 3-2. Councilman Eric Thompson expressed concern that the $10 fee was too high compared with other areas.
He noted that in 10 surrounding areas, $5 was the highest fee, with five of the 10 not having any fee. Thompson and Councilmen Phillip Beer and Steve Marcum voted again the ordinance last month but supported the smaller fee increase Monday.
Permit now required
Last month, Thompson said the city should look into punishing those who do not get permits rather than charge more for those who follow the rules.
The proposed ordinance also calls for permits to be "displayed at a conspicuous place at the site of the sale." Officials said this will help with enforcement of garage sales held without a permit.
Those who do not obtain a permit and have a garage sale are subject to a $100 fine.
With the city facing a $140,000 deficit next year, council's finance committee members are looking at small ways to balance the budget.
"We have to go through and look at everything, and this is just one of those changes," said Councilwoman Catie Karl-Moran.
If approved, the fee is expected to raise about $1,000 per year. Finance Director Marcia Cunningham said residents usually have around 200 to 250 garage sales a year in the city.