YOUNGSTOWN COUNCIL WRTA says a county tax is necessary for service

Recent fare increases aren't enough, the director said.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Western Reserve Transit Authority wants to place a proposal on the November election ballot for a 0.25-percent Mahoning County sales tax to fund its operations.
Jim Ferraro, WRTA's executive director, discussed the proposal Wednesday at Youngstown City Council's public utilities committee meeting.
WRTA receives about 35 percent to 40 percent of its funding from two levies on Youngstown property owners that raise about $2.5 million annually, Ferraro said.
With cuts in state and federal funding as well as large increases in fuel prices, the agency needs more money to operate, he said. If it doesn't get more money, the authority will have to cut services, he said.
A big challenge
Ferraro acknowledged that getting approval for a county sales tax is going to be a great challenge. A 0.25-percent county sales tax would generate about $7 million to $8 million annually.
About 90 percent to 95 percent of the bus system's riders live in Youngstown, Ferraro said. Over the years, the WRTA has significantly increased its bus routes, he said. With a county sales tax, the routes can increase even more, he said.
Councilwoman Carol Rimedio-Righetti, D-4th and public utilities committee chairwoman, scheduled a meeting for 5 p.m. July 10 with county commissioners and WRTA officials to discuss this proposal.
Attempts to reach the three county commissioners late Wednesday to discuss the matter were unsuccessful.
Warm reception
The county has struggled over the years to get sales tax renewals approved by voters for general operations.
The sales tax proposal was met warmly by Youngstown council committee members.
"Now is the time we need to stop looking at WRTA as a Youngstown service and look at it as a county service," said Councilman Michael Rapovy, D-5th and utilities committee vice chairman.
Ferraro wants to get approval from city council and the commissioners sometime in July for a November ballot initiative on the sales tax proposal.
Tax issues must be submitted to Ohio county boards of elections by Aug. 24 for the November ballot.
The authority increased bus fees, effective June 1, but that won't resolve its financial problems, Ferraro said.
"We need to take this to another level [a county sales tax] or we're going to have to significantly cut our services," he said. "It's a shame if we have to cut services, because we're growing."
skolnick@vindy.com