Commissioners stress need for tax renewal

The tax brings in 14.5 million annually.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CAMPBELL -- If Mahoning County is to operate with fiscal stability, then it's imperative voters approve a half-percent sales and use tax renewal on the May 8 primary election ballot, county commissioners said.
"It would be a catastrophe if it doesn't pass. We would be staring in the face of fiscal emergency," warned Commissioner Anthony Traficanti at Tuesday's county commissioners meeting in Campbell City Hall on Tenney Avenue.
Commissioners are trying to garner support toward making the sales tax permanent to allow for a continual stream of revenue, as opposed to its being renewed every five years. The tax should bring about 14.5 million annually to the county's general fund, Traficanti noted.
The county has seen cuts in many departments and has "done more with less," he said. In addition to placing the county in fiscal emergency, Traficanti continued, failure to pass the tax could mean the closing of the Mahoning County Jail.
If the sales tax passes, though, much of the revenue would go toward staffing at the jail as well as juvenile court and the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department. Traficanti, chairman of the county commission, was unable to provide dollar amounts, but said that roughly 70 percent of the general fund is spent on law enforcement.
Support
Campbell Mayor Jack Dill also said he supports efforts to make the tax permanent. Without a permanent and consistent source of revenue, economic development in the county will face major hardships, Dill said, noting that 84 of Ohio's 88 counties have a permanent tax in place.
Commissioners are traveling throughout the county to drum up support for a permanent sales tax. They're also meeting at various county sites to address the needs of residents in rural and urban areas and be more accessible to them, Traficanti said.
The next county commissioners meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Sebring Village Hall, 135 E. Ohio Ave.