Columbiana Co. voters correct the mistake of six months ago

Last November, 62 percent of the general election voters in Columbiana County said no to renewing a 1 percent sales tax. On Tuesday, 64 percent of the participants in the primary said yes to renewal. What happened? The results suggest that ballot language can make or break an issue.

Six months ago, the word “additional” was included in the text by the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office — even thought the 1 percent sales tax has been on the book for several years. Commissioners Jim Hoppel, Penny Traina and Daniel Bing tried to limit the damage by telling anyone who would listen that it was not a new tax. It had twice been approved by the voters. Nonetheless, by a wide margin, Columbiana County residents said they weren’t convinced.

The defeat of the tax, which generates about $8 million a year, or about 44 percent of the general fund, was a blow to county government. But commissioners Hoppel, Traina and Bing were determined to win the public over, and so they came up with clear and concise language for the issue on Tuesday’s ballot.

The proposal they sent to the board of elections read, in two parts:

“The Board of County Commissioners of Columbiana County proposes the continuation of an existing sales and use tax of one percent (1%) for the purpose of providing general revenue for the County for a period of five years, commencing Jan. 1, 2011.”

And, “Shall the resolution of the Columbiana County Commissioners proposing a continuation of an existing one percent (1%) sales and use tax, be approved?”

The word “continuation” did the trick.

There was no misunderstanding that the issue before the voters on Tuesday was for renewal of the sales tax. The vote count from election night — 64 percent for, 36 percent against — is a reflection of the hard work and spirit of cooperation that was evident in the months leading up to the primary.

Not only did all the county officeholders participate in the campaign for passage, but communities throughout the county lent their support, as did business and civic leaders and grass-roots organizations.

There was a collective sigh of relief when the final votes were announced, but the commissioners are also acutely aware of the fact that the taxpayers aren’t giving government carte blanche.

Budget cuts

During the campaign, the commissioners pointed out that major budget cuts had been made over the past year in response to the national economic recession. Indeed, there was a time not too long ago when the 1 percent sales tax generated $12 million a year. Today, it brings in about $8 million. And since most of the operating budget goes toward wages and benefits of county employees, a reduction in the payroll is inevitable.

Taxpayers were made aware of the belt-tightening, and showed their appreciation by renewing the sales tax. But Traina, who is president of the board of commissioners, and her colleagues, Hoppel and Bing, must know that public support today can easily become opposition tomorrow.

The challenge for Columbiana County government is to provide the basic services taxpayers have come to expect, while dealing with the economic realities that require the public and private sectors to do more with less.