Austintown trustee blasts Youngstown tax plan

AUSTINTOWN — Township Trustee Bo Pritchard said Monday he’s skeptical of putting $9 million per year of Austintown residents’ money in the hands of Youngstown as part of a joint economic development district — because of the city’s poor track record of fiscal responsibility.

“This proposal takes $9 million out of the hands of Austintown citizens and puts it into the hands of government,” Pritchard said, adding that the city “hasn’t shown a great ability to police themselves” in financial matters.

The $9 million per year is the amount that would be collected in the form of a 2 percent income tax from those who work in Austintown, charged by the city to all workers whose employer receives Youngstown water.

Nearly all of Austintown receives its water from Youngstown.

“The best avenue for Austintown is to stand firm that this proposal will not benefit Austintown, Boardman or businesses. It will benefit only one thing: Youngstown’s unquenchable thirst for tax dollars. We don’t think that makes sense for anyone,” Pritchard said during a township trustees meeting.

Read more in Tuesday’s Vindicator and at vindy.com