RENEWED OPTIMISM: Mahoning sales tax approved

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By 2-1 margin, measure Ok’d on 2nd try

By PETER H. MILLIKEN

milliken@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The voters have approved a five-year renewal of Mahoning County’s half-percent sales tax by a margin of 68 percent to 32 percent with all of the vote counted.

The unofficial preliminary vote totals showing the 2-1 margin of victory for the tax came in Tuesday’s primary election, which drew a 25 percent turnout.

“I’m very happy about the victory of the sales tax. When I campaigned, that was one of my main issues: That must pass ... My committee also worked very hard for the sales tax,” said Carol Rimedio-Righetti, who also celebrated her victory over incumbent county commissioner David N. Ludt.

“There were two victories, new leadership and the sales tax. That told us a whole lot,” she added.

“The sales tax passed. That’s a good thing,” Ludt said, even as he conceded defeat.

Atty. David Betras, county Democratic Party chairman, said he was “elated” by passage of the sales tax and attributed its passage to the “very active campaign” waged by its supporters.

“I want to thank the people of Mahoning County for putting faith back into Mahoning County government by passing the sales tax,” he said. Passage of the tax was important because “we cannot run this government without proper infrastructure.’’

Dr. William Binning, professor emeritus of political science at Youngstown State University and former county GOP chairman, attributed the sales tax victory in this election largely due to two things – its five-year limitation and its label as a renewal.

“They cured the language,” he said.

Voters also apparently took note of county spending cutbacks and the fact that county workers took highly publicized concessions, he said.

The county has two half-percent sales taxes, each raising about $13 million annually for the county’s general fund. Together, they generate about half of the general fund’s revenue. The other sales tax was renewed continuously in May 2007.

The sales tax that was on Tuesday’s ballot for renewal as Issue 3 would have expired Sept. 30 had it not been renewed. Voters rejected an attempt to renew it continuously last fall. Tuesday’s sales tax question was labeled as a renewal, unlike last fall’s effort.

The general fund is the county’s main operating fund, and about 70 percent of the funding goes to the criminal justice system, which includes the sheriff’s and prosecutor’s offices and the courts. This year’s total general fund budget is $51.7 million.

The sales tax on Tuesday’s ballot had the strong support of Betras; U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th; and the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber. It had no organized opposition.

At a forum on the sales tax, Ryan implored the voters not to jeopardize the recent economic development momentum here by failing to renew the tax. As evidence of that momentum, he cited General Motors’ decision to build the Cruze at its Lordstown plant and V&M Star’s decision to invest $650 million in a new pipe mill here.

People and businesses aren’t attracted to a community that won’t provide basic government services, such as a viable county jail and juvenile justice center, both of which are funded by the sales tax, he said.

The sales tax campaign slogan was: “Renewing security and justice for half of a penny.”

Supporters said the tax is a good deal for county residents because it’s paid by all who shop in Mahoning County, whether they live in the county or not, and because it generates local matching money for state and federal grants.