Niles officials: Tax hike needed to keep city safe, avoid layoffs, maintain insurance rates

NILES

Despite the bitter cold this evening, nearly 70 residents turned out to hear representatives of the city’s safety forces and elected officeholders plead for public support for the 0.50 income tax increase that will appear on the March primary ballot.

If approved, it would generate $2.1 million in annual revenue solely for police and fire departments.

“We’re trying to maintain the safety forces and without them, we’re nothing,” Mayor Thomas Scarnecchia told the crowd at First Presbyterian Church. “If we don’t pass this, there will be layoffs.”

With Niles in fiscal emergency since October 2014, the city is making its second attempt to pass a tax hike. Voters overwhelmingly rejected a 0.25 percent request last November by 56 percent.

The current income tax rate is 1.5 percent and is paid only by those working in Niles.

“We will pay regardless of how you vote,” said Ryan McNaughton, D-at large. “If you vote yes, we stay safe, but if you vote no, it will cost more for insurance for your homes and for businesses.”

“No business will want to come here,” said fire Chief David Danielson.

Read more of what they had to say, and the audience reaction in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.