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Local News

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Voters approve sales tax, income tax, school tax
LaRiche Toyota-Subaru
By MICHELLE REITER

STAFF WRITER

Hancock County commissioners enjoyed a victory Tuesday night when a sales tax, the third proposed in the past four years, not only passed, but by a 60 percent margin.

The half-percent sales tax, which will be divided between county operations and flood control efforts, won handily with 14,628 votes for the tax, and 9,061 votes against.

The tax will remain in effect for 10 years.

"I'm really appreciative that people decided to support the program we put forward," Commissioner Phillip Riegle said. "I think the community knew the alternatives to the tax, and didn't want the reduced services. The community is also supportive of flood mitigation."

It is the first time Hancock County residents have devoted money to long-term flood control plans. Other flood-reduction ideas have come and gone without the public's financial support, but on Tuesday voters agreed to invest about $2.5 million a year toward flood control, or half of the $5 million annual revenue from the tax.

In 10 years the commissioners are hoping the tax will have generated $25 million toward flood reduction.

Commissioner Ed Ingold said he was pleased that all three major ballot issues passed in Findlay and Hancock County, not just the county's.

"I think it would be safe to say that this is unprecedented for a community to vote for a sales tax, income tax and school levy all in the same day," he said Tuesday night. "It shows what the community is all about."

The commissioners imposed both a half-percent sales tax and a quarter-percent tax last year, but wanted so give voters a chance to decide for themselves this November.

In August, the commissioners decided to drop the quarter-percent sales tax from the fall ballot and let it expire at year's end. That left the half-percent, 10-year sales tax on the ballot.

The tax voters approved Tuesday is expected to generate about $5 million a year, which is what the county's longtime half-percent sales tax typically generates. The existing tax has been generating about $4.7 million a year in the sluggish economy, but the commissioners expect that amount to rebound.

Commissioner Emily Walton said the tax approved Tuesday will not fix all the county's problems, but it will keep revenues stable.

The county's 2009 budget has been reduced 11.5 percent compared to last year's numbers, and county departments are digging even deeper.

They were told to plan on 17 percent budget cuts next year if the sales tax did not pass, and 10 percent cuts if it did.

Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman had previously announced that his office would lay off 16 people if the issue did not pass, and 10 employees if it did.

Public safety and judicial costs account for more than half of the roughly $16 million annual county budget.

"I think the fact that all three issues passed means this community is resilient and willing to invest in maintaining a quality of life," Walton said Tuesday. "This sends a message that we're still vibrant and alive."

Reiter: 419-427-8497,

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35 Comments (4 pages)

Latest comments listed first.
Seriously? wrote:
Re: Equaljustice, lonegunman(?), and frightened
“ Although your figures are not completely accurate, the firemen are due to get a raise in 2010. But you want them to give it up so the city can lay them off anyway. What you don't mention is that the firemen gave up over $150,000 in concessions this year, including giving their raise back to save 11 of their own and the City came back two months later and said they were going to lay off 18. Why would any of them give back anything ever again when the City stabs them in the back like that? If the City wants the firmen's raise back, then they should guarantee no layoffs and they should guarantee the safety of this community by having every front line fire truck staffed. But they won't do that. They have already said no to both. Keep your raise guys, you deserve it! ”
Friday, November 06, 2009 2:11:18 PM
Frightened wrote:
Ridiculous!
“ Everyone in the city should know by now the fire department gets whatever they want when they want. In the worst economic times since the depression, the fire department has received a new fire truck worth almost $1,000,000, 3 pay raises for 2008, 2009 and 2010, while the other city departments lay off employees. The firemen did a good job campaigning for their jobs. They spent several months crying to the public and were able to convince them to vote for the tax to support their spending. You can relax now firemen. Sit in your recliner, collect your raises, and take it easy. You all deserve it after a long and hard campaign. ENJOY! ”
Friday, November 06, 2009 9:44:25 AM
Doug wrote:
Fair is fair!!!
“ I did not vote for the tax increase due to my personal financial situation and only for that reason! With that said, I still have to pay them because that's the law and we as Americans don't get a choice in which law we will support and which ones we won't!

So to Homer I say, I am glad you are one of the few that make over
$250,000.00 a year! Congrats to you. Because those are the ones who will be paying the taxes for Heath Care Reform!
As long as Abortions are legal they need to be just like any other legal medical procedure in America whether you like it or not! And until they become illegal, you don't get your choice to support them or not with Federal monies! I don't get a choice, you don't either!!!!!!

PS Change the radio channel off of Rush and quit watching FOX news so much! ”
Friday, November 06, 2009 9:19:06 AM
Lonegunman wrote:
Raises
“ It's true about the fire department getting raises in the next two years! The administration should tell them to either relinquish these raises or they should send about ten of them down the road. After what the citizens did for them they should give up these raises to show their appreciation and understanding of the financial situation most people are in. However I doubt this will happen they are to greedy. ”
Friday, November 06, 2009 7:21:01 AM
EqualJustice wrote:
City Income Tax
“ Many of you may not now, but the Findlay Police Department had forgone any pay raise for 2009 & 2010 on their contracts. The Fire Department, however, is going to receive a 4% pay raise for 2009 and a 3% pay raise for 2010 since the tax passed. I have one thing to say..."GREED HAS NO BOUNDARIES." When you price yourseleves out of your jobs don't come crying to the citizens. ”
Thursday, November 05, 2009 8:16:23 PM
james wrote:
dan
“ dan i think your not seeing the point
its not the cops hes talking about but
the homes that have been lost ”
Thursday, November 05, 2009 5:17:18 PM
Dan wrote:
so sorry
“ Ron, the sheriff's office is simply doing what they are ordered to do by the courts. The lien holders have filed judgement against these people and the sheriff is legally bound to perform their duties. ”
Thursday, November 05, 2009 3:53:33 PM
ron wrote:
so sorry
“ Dan have you been to this site

the sheriff has anything to do with this mess
Its just his site

See all the people who have suffered
”
Thursday, November 05, 2009 1:50:57 PM
Dan wrote:
want to see why many voted no go to this link
“ OK Ron, what exactly is your point? Do you think the sheriff's department keeps all the money that the properties sell for? ”
Thursday, November 05, 2009 1:21:34 PM
ron wrote:
want to see why many voted no go to this link
“ http://www.hancocksheriff.org/sheriffsales09.htm ”
Thursday, November 05, 2009 3:41:53 AM
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adam wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
concerned
“ i totally agree with you! when you call them nothing happens (unless you have a little bit of pot). I called police on a passed... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:21:12 PM
adam wrote in article "Corn dust bothers elevator neighbor":
grain
“ hey if you dont like the problems caused by this you should move. Otherwise shut up and count your blessings that YOU have a pla... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 3:15:05 PM
adam wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
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11/20/2009 3:10:23 PM
TG wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
Capt. Treece
“ Why don't you put your money where your mouth is Capt. Treece. Bring out those numbers. The correct ones. I bet you make almo... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:52:23 PM
Chilli wrote in article "Extra enforcement slated for Saturday due to big game":
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“ I always wonder why they tell the public what roads are choosen for patrols. Can't the drunk driver just go another route? ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:48:36 PM
james wrote in article "Village patrols may be restored in future":
buddies
“ Thats not the way we see it ,,if you retire and can and do ,,,move on,, We the people of this county do not approve of this pra... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 2:01:31 PM
Get Real wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Why is this thug on the street anyway?
“ I believe if you review some history, this creep robbed a pizza driver in August of 2007 two years ago and was involved in a st... ” Read More...
11/20/2009 1:35:27 PM
Scott wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Robbery
“ While I agree with most of Cathy Schulte's comments, I don't agree with, "Good of her to fight back." How stupid would it be to... ” Read More...
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JP wrote in article "Corn dust bothers elevator neighbor":
Grains, trains and automobiles
“ I live in North Baltimore, a pitching wedge from the grain elevator and a chip shot from the CSX main line.

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Cathy Schulte wrote in article "Two charged after robbery":
Robbery
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11/20/2009 11:34:18 AM
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News Briefs Work scheduled on Findlay streets
Findlay's Main Street, northbound, will be reduced at times to one lane between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for waterline connection.

Main Street will not be accessible from East Lincoln Street. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from South Main Street to South Blanchard Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for continued improvement work. Access to local businesses and residents only will be maintained.

Recount planned in trustee's race
OTTAWA -- After certifying election results on Wednesday, the Putnam County Board of Elections has announced a recount will be required for the Union Township trustee race, according to Deputy Director Shelly Burkhart.

The recount will be completed on Wednesday at the county elections board office, 336 E. Main Street, Ottawa.

Incumbent Daniel R. Ellerbrock has secured his position on the board, earning 685 votes. However the remaining trustee spot will require a recount as Gery P. Wurth earned 598 votes and Mark J. Kahle collected 601 votes, according to official results.

An automatic recount is necessary if the margin is within one-half of 1 percent of total votes cast, according to state law.

Road to be closed
Forest Lake Drive, between Marion Township 237 and Indian Lake Drive/Forest Lane, will be closed today for a pipe installation.

The road is expected to open by 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use Township 242.