Campbell council weighs tax levy for street repairs

Council moved forward on legislation to award a $50,000 grant to Youngstown Pipe & Supply Co.

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

CAMPBELL — City council is considering placing a 3-mill property tax levy on the ballot this year to finance street resurfacing and repair.

The levy was discussed briefly at council’s caucus meeting Wednesday, and will be discussed in more detail at a council caucus at 6 p.m., before its regular meeting on Jan. 9.

Councilman Bryan Tedesco said he would like to see the levy be for three years, rather than going for a longer amount of time, hoping the residents would give council a chance to prove that the money would be spent wisely.

If something isn’t done soon, the roads will deteriorate to the point where it will cost even more to repair them, Tedesco said.

“We need to do something,” agreed Councilman Michael Tsikouris.

A 3-mill general operating levy that would have been used for street repair was rejected by voters “big time” a year ago, said Mayor John Dill.

During its regular meeting, council give a second reading to award a $50,000 grant to Youngstown Pipe & Supply Co., which is relocating its operations from Youngstown and a portion of its operation in Boardman to the former Cold Metal Products site on Wilson Avenue. Three readings are required for final passage of the ordinance.

Youngstown city is also supplying a $50,000 grant to Youngstown Pipe as well as paying $15,000 of the Campbell grant, Dill said. The $50,000 will come from unanticipated estate tax revenue. Sixty percent of the building is located in Campbell and 40 percent in Youngstown.

As part of the grant legislation, Campbell requires that Youngstown Pipe must stay in business at the site for at least five years, have a minimum of 20 employees, and give preference to Campbell residents for any new hires.

alcorn@vindy.com