Mahoning commissioners address tax issues

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County commissioners passed a resolution to place a 2-mill mental retardation board real estate tax renewal levy on the May 8 primary ballot, and are preparing for placement of a sales tax renewal on the ballot that day.

The five-year levy for the county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, which commissioners acted on Thursday, generates about $5.5 million a year and costs the owner of a $100,000 home $70 a year. The levy, which will sustain current operations, has been in place since 1992, said Larry Duck, MRDD superintendent.

Commissioners will hold public hearings at 1 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday in the county courthouse basement concerning renewal of the county’s half percent sales tax and are expected to decide on placement of its renewal before the voters when they meet at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the same location.   Feb. 22 is the deadline to put issues on the May 8 ballot.