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Salem lawmaker to start D.C. job
SALEM — Someone else will have to promote a capital improvement program in Salem.
Councilman Justin Palmer, D-at large, announced a plan last week to seek input from voters early next year for a proposed capital improvement program.
Palmer, however, said Monday he will be resigning from council effective Jan. 1.
He will become a legislative assistant in Washington, D.C., for newly elected U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, a Democrat from Alliance, formerly of New Middletown, who will represent Ohio’s 16th Congressional District, which includes all of Stark and Wayne counties and portions of Medina and Ashland counties.
Council has temporarily modified the income-tax revenue division from 75 percent for operating expenses and 25 percent for capital improvements to 85 percent for operations and 15 percent for capital improvements. The move would help the city have enough revenue to get through early 2009.
Salem’s 1 percent income tax brought in $3.98 million in 2007.
Under Palmer’s proposal, voters could approve a percentage increase in the income tax that would allow for capital improvements, equipment updates and a capital improvement project he said he could not reveal.
The alternative would be to let road work, equipment repairs and other projects go by the wayside.
Under Palmer’s plan, an income tax increase could be placed on the primary ballot only if voters like the idea. The filing deadline would be in February.
Steve Andres, the city’s safety director, said, “Someone has to take the lead. All we [the administration] can do is advise.”
Palmer said council and the administration can proceed without him.
Palmer is in his third year on council and is the head of the finance committee.
The alternative to the income tax increase plan would be to let road work, equipment repairs and other projects go by the wayside.
Andres said none of the money would go to salaries.
Palmer emerged as an opponent of a plan by council and the Perry Township trustees to combine their fire departments into a district.
He and other Democrats eventually were elected as a majority and ended the plan.
wilkinson@vindy.com