Income-tax break on agenda

May 29, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By D.A. WILKINSON

SALEM

Mayor Jerry Wolford said Thursday that city council will discuss whether it should end an income-tax break for some people.

The city does not collect income taxes for people who live in the city but work and pay taxes in another community.

Wolford brought up the idea earlier this month in response to the city’s tight finances that resulted in layoffs.

In early March, Wolford laid off three firefighters, three police officers and a full-time secretary. Two street-department positions left empty by retirement won’t be filled. One firefighter has been called back because of a city grant, and one patrolman is joining the Columbiana County sheriff’s office.

Council members initially made no comment when Wolford suggested ending the tax break. The meeting will be June 8.

The mayor said that if the income-tax reciprocity were rescinded for the second half of the year, it would raise about $175,000, which may be enough to get the city through 2010.

City Auditor James Armeni, who earlier suggested that city police merge with the Columbiana County sheriff’s office, has said that the city could save $440,944 by that move.

Columbiana County Sheriff Ray Stone said his only involvement was to provide the information Armeni requested about pay, benefits and vehicle costs at the sheriff’s office.

The deputies and Salem police are in the Fraternal Order of Police but in separate Ohio labor councils.