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Local News

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Voters approve sales tax, income tax, school tax
Diamond Mine Direct
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
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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Dave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
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tired of this wrote in article "Shooting video":
benton ridge shooting
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just sayin wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
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retired OH cop in MT wrote in article "Shooting video released":
shooting
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.