Comments on: Fiscal Emergency could be headed Toledo’s way…

By: dalepertcheck

dalepertcheck — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:55:43 +0000

I have advocated before for an increase in Toledo’s payroll tax. I still consider a 2.25% tax to be a very low rate. This is especially true when we couple the low local rate with the tax cuts that have occurred at both the national and state levels over the past 8 years.

The most important factor is that the tax is paid by all of those who WORK in the city, as well as those who live in the city. People, like my wife and me, who live in Sylvania but work in Toledo, pay the Toledo tax. The Sylvania rate is 1.5% as in Ottawa Hills, but unlike Ottawa Hills, Sylvania gives a credit for the full 1.5%, if you work in a city where the tax rate is at that level or higher. We do pay a small annual additional fee for some Sylvania city services.

Because I don’t live in Toledo, I cannot vote for or against an increase in the Toledo tax. I am appalled at those area residents who act as though what happens in the City of Toledo does not affect them and their lives in the suburbs or exurbs. After all of the cuts that have already taken place, I am anxious to see the list of services still existing that most people would feel are “non-essential”.

I want a safe and orderly central city. I am more than willing to pay more, if that translates into more police officers, more fire fighters, and better overall services in the city in which I grew up, and into which I travel and/or work almost every day of the year.

By: Steven Flagg

Steven Flagg — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:36:51 +0000

Lisa,

You are right on with the use of future income tax revenue and that it can not be used to balance the budget. You can only assume approval of an existing levy at the same rate. Been through it a number of times when looking at other fiscal entities in Ohio and their budget deficits.

By: mj

mj — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:35:52 +0000

Tough to leave if there isn’t anyone around with money to buy your home.

By: LisaRenee

LisaRenee — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:31:23 +0000

The Village of Ottawa Hills has a 1.5% municipal income tax on income earned in the Village or earned by Village residents. Village residents who pay income taxes to another community receive partial credit (50% of the lower rate) for those taxes paid.

So, Ottawa Hills charges less than Toledo…

By: SensorG

SensorG — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:27:37 +0000

If they raise taxes, I’ve got a feeling we will be seeing a lot more vacant houses in Toledo.

If that was the case, Ottawa Hills would be empty.

By: chad

chad — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:22:54 +0000

Nnnnnooooo! Toledo is a fiscal emergency?! No way!

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:44:38 +0000

If they raise taxes, I’ve got a feeling we will be seeing a lot more vacant houses in Toledo.

By: LisaRenee

LisaRenee — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:09:08 +0000

That may be the case Zimmy, but since we accepted the COPS grant I’ve wondered if bankruptcy was the option if that would create a scenario where that money would also have to be paid back and would not be able to be included as part of a bankruptcy. The federal government typically ends up being protected as far as always getting their money.

By: zimmy

zimmy — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:59:27 +0000

the best option may be to go bancrupt – we can get out of these unreasonably generous city employee contracts and rewrite rules for numbers of command officers for both police and fire. these reductions in cost for over-compensating employees would allow us to maintain (or return to) the correct manpower numbers across the board. getting these contracts corrected would make it much more palatable to consider a temporary tax increase or permanent entertainment tax. we currently are experiencing the classic “tail wagging the dog” scenerio where our employees in the safety forces are advocating tax hikes to ensure they don’t have to “sacrifice” their life-styles: desk jobs after short careers on the streets, cushy benefits including no medical co-pays and completely tax-payer funded pension, and retirements in their early 50s.

By: LisaRenee

LisaRenee — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:59:45 +0000

It might be in some of the documentation that the Mayor’s office has sent me. I’m going to go through that over the weekend, if I don’t have it? I’ll ask for it. They have been really great about sharing information with me that I ask for. So far the Bell administration has been very transparent with me as a blogger and I do appreciate that.