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Salem OKs tax increase on ballot
Photo
Jerry Wolford
The chief said he’s close to having to recall an officer from a drug task force.
SALEM — Mayor Jerry Wolford said the city needs more money if it is to keep up the quality of its roads and sewer system.
City council has approved placing a four-year, 0.5-percent income-tax increase on the November ballot to pay for infrastructure improvements.
The tax increase, if approved, would bring in about $1.8 million a year for capital projects.
If approved, the revenue could be used only for capital improvements such as road work and improving the city’s water and sewer systems.
Wolford said he will spell out what he wants to achieve.
The mayor said he would have fliers prepared, talk to service organizations and possibly have town-hall meetings.
Without extra money for capital improvements, the mayor has said, the city’s infrastructure will decline.
He said the city also may try to bring in new businesses.
Police Chief Robert Floor said, “There is no good time to ask for a tax increase,” especially during the present sluggish economy.
But the chief said that his department has three positions unfilled after retirements or resignations. That’s a 15 percent reduction in the force.
The department, Floor said, is at the point that any officer laid off will require an officer to be brought back from special duty to fill the regular shifts adequately and maintain safety. One officer is assigned to the Youngstown Area Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force based in Mahoning County, and another is assigned to the Columbiana County Drug Task Force based in Lisbon. The officers and agencies routinely work together with other law-enforcement officials.
The city even gets a share of money confiscated in drug cases.
Floor said that should the officer working with the drug task force have to be recalled to full-time duty, it would take a year to get him reinstated because of the paperwork.
“I hope it is remembered that I have already lost three officers by trying to keep within a shrinking budget. That is three fewer people trying to protect Salem and keep it a place where you can go for an evening stroll, feeling safe within your neighborhood,” the chief added.
wilkinson@vindy.com