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Local News

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Mayor says residents 'stepped up to the plate'
Judson Palmer
By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

A Findlay income tax hike was approved by city voters Tuesday, preventing 18 firefighter layoffs and a fire station closure.

Tuesday's unofficial election results showed 6,316 (54.5 percent) voting for the three-year, quarter-percent income tax increase, and 5,257 (45.4 percent) voting against it.

The tax will generate about $3.5 million per year, with $600,000 of that to be set aside annually for flood control studies and projects.

Mayor Pete Sehnert called the victory "a coup" amidst economic hardship.

Residents "really stepped up to the plate," said Sehnert. "With this recession, I think people knew the seriousness of this," he said of the city's deteriorating finances.

No additional funding would have meant the layoffs of 18 firefighters, the closing of Fire Station 4 on the east side, and 16 layoffs in public works, all effective Sunday.

Despite Tuesday's election success, the tax increase will not be a panacea to the city's problems.

Sehnert said the 16 public works employees will still be cut Sunday, a decision he had warned weeks ago would probably happen. The city will recall most or all of them when the first extra income tax money arrives in February.

"Between now and then, we'll look at how things are running. Some of our services will definitely take a little bit of a hit," Sehnert said. Snow plowing, for instance, could take longer this winter.

"We've still got to be cautious. We've got to toe the line yet. This (tax money) isn't by any means a big windfall," Sehnert said. "People have got to understand we're still short in several departments."

Most income tax collections, 81 percent this year, go to the general fund. The rest goes to the capital improvements fund, which itself will be getting looted more than usual in 2010 to beef up the general fund.

Over time, as Findlay has taken on more costly projects and services, the 1 percent income tax has strayed from its initial purpose. It was imposed in 1967 to pay for sewer separation projects.

Today, Findlay's income tax rate is the lowest among Ohio cities of comparable size. When it jumps to 1.25 percent in January, it will still be lower than the rate in Fremont, Tiffin, Bucyrus, Mansfield, Marion, Kenton, Lima, Defiance, Bowling Green and Toledo.

Findlay had enjoyed good income tax collections for years, particularly from business withholdings. But those began to plummet in 2008, putting the city into a financial tailspin.

Year-to-date collections of the 1 percent tax are 8.5 percent lower than in 2008. Auditor Robert Sprague said in 2007 Findlay collected $20.2 million in income taxes. In 2009 it expects to collect $14.2 million.

Officials say the income tax increase is meant to be temporary. It is hoped the next three years will give the city time to recover from the recession and stabilize its budget.

In order to increase the tax, the city had no choice but to go to voters; 1 percent is the maximum amount that can be imposed on residents, which means that if officials want the extra quarter-percent collection to continue after 2012, they will have to return to the voters.

"I don't think it hurt that the firefighters and police went door to door" campaigning for the tax increase, said Sehnert, or that information about the need for the tax was conveyed in a number of other ways.

"I think everybody had the opportunity to look over all the issues and make a sound decision on each," Sehnert said.

The mayor also credited the city's partnership with Hancock County and the Findlay School District to get all three local tax issues passed. Officials from all three campaigns emphasized the issues were intertwined, and that their outcomes would affect each other.

Passage of all three "will send a big, positive message" to those thinking about living or doing business here, Sehnert said.

Brown: 419-427-8496,

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10 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
msimon wrote:
kudos
“ I think its wonderful that the community has come together and saved jobs, insure the safety of the community. Wonderful group effort! ”
Thursday, November 05, 2009 1:05:40 AM
ITS TIME wrote:
Thank-You
“ I am very pleased as to the results of last nights polls. Thank you Findlay for proving again why this city is a GREAT place to live. Nice job firefighters and cops for the door to door campaign. The information you guys gave me at my door made the diffrence in my vote. Without a question Findlay just became a Better place to call home. ”
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 4:01:52 PM
Steve wrote:
Tim from BG?
“ Seriously, what's your pony in this circus?
Leadership? Tough choices? Poise? Determination? It's all a joke right? Because none of that has any resemblance to what's happening in Findlay. ”
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 1:37:21 PM
Steve wrote:
Azrael
“ I'm not happy about the increases either. It doesn't make a bit of difference to me but before you go jumping ship, make sure you find somewhere the taxes are lower. Make sure you take school income taxes into account as well as the regular income taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes.
Unfortunately a lot of school districts have an additional income tax unlike Findlay, and I think you'll find the other rates are very competitive. ”
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 1:31:06 PM
Azrael wrote:
Taxing me out...
“ That's it...I'm done.

This town has officially taxed me out of any desire to remian here.

So thanks for the memories Findlay...it's been "fun" while it lasted.

Anyone want to buy a house?
 ”
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 12:30:56 PM
T.y. wrote:
sure be glad!
“ When your time is up pete! Most of us thought Toni was bad, well we sure found out didn't we. I suppose for good measure, we should bring Cliff Hite back to be mayor!!! ”
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 10:04:24 AM
Mike wrote:
City Income Tax
“ With the passage of the one-quarter percent city income tax increase, will we be seeing some services returned? Will we get leaf collection next year? Will the pool open next Summer? Are the streets going to be plowed this Winter? Since I am one of those that reside in Findlay but work elsewhere (Oregon, Ohio), I can now enjoy a 3 1/2% local tax rate (2 1/4% in Oregon, 1 1/4% in Findlay!) All of these elected officials, Findlay City, Hancock County, Findlay School Board, need to have their collective feet held to the fire and every last dollar needs to be accounted for! ”
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 9:41:17 AM
Matt wrote:
Great Job
“ Great to see the community pulled together! ”
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 9:38:18 AM
tim wrote:
tax
“ Here we go again.......Barker said the tax wouldn't pass unless he frightened people by taking away saftey forces-seems it worked. You bullied the community into voting the way you wanted. Congratulations. Now the ball is in your court to keep your promises. ”
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 9:05:00 AM
Tim from Bowling Green wrote:
Nice job, Mr. Mayor
“ Mr. Mayor: Thank-you for your leadership the past few months on the sales tax campaign. As a community leader, sometimes you have to make tough choices and take the heat for them in the public, including the media. You showed great poise and determination during this difficult time in Findlay. Well done, Mr. Mayor. God bless you! ”
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 8:03:17 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.