Columbiana Co. to seek renewal of 1% sales tax

STAFF REPORT

LISBON — As expected, the Columbiana County commissioners on Wednesday placed the 1-percent county sales tax back on the ballot.

Two public hearings will take place to get comments from the public.

The first will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 27, and the second will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 3.

Both hearings will be at the commissioners’ meeting room in the courthouse.

Penny Traina, president of the commissioners, said the commissioners would then send the resolution to the county board of elections to appear on the May ballot.

The commissioners have little choice financially but to seek the renewal, commissioners have said. The 1-percent sales tax brings in about $8 million a year, or about 44 percent of the county’s general fund.

The commissioners said they would promote the issue.

The wording on the ballot last fall from the Ohio secretary of state’s office indicated the issue was a tax increase when the measure was actually a renewal.