Since oppositionists are using the age-old tactic created by Marky Mark several years ago to make many inane postings in an effort to push pertinent postings off the front page I am continuing the Topic of the Week thread here.
Below is an article from today?’s Dispatch regarding paper townships. Funny how humanoids like Fix only are quoted in articles they seemed to have originated. Ted, you can expect to take a lot of flak so be prepared. Hey Coyote, how about deleting everyone?’s account and make them reregister? Then you can contact them through the email address they provide and warn them personally about decorum?
Pickerington considers split from township
Move might lower taxes, shift fire services
Friday, August 04, 2006
Kirk D . Richards
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Pickerington would cut itself off from Violet Township and eliminate the property taxes city residents pay the township under a plan City Councilman Ted Hackworth is exploring.
The city, as its own township, would be obligated to provide residents with fire service that is currently handled by Violet Township.
That does not necessarily mean that the city would create a fire department. Hackworth said Pickerington might be able to save money by contracting for fire service with Violet Township or another jurisdiction.
Pickerington residents pay 7.6 mills in property taxes to Violet Township, about $233 per year for the owner of a $100,000 house. Most of that pays for fire protection.
Hackworth?’s plan would require a vote of Pickerington residents and an agreement with Violet Township, he said.
''It?’s in the preliminary stage,'' Hackworth said.
Violet Township Trustee Harry Myers is skeptical.
''I personally don?’t think it would be good for city residents,'' Myers said. ''I think they?’ll find as they do more research that it?’ll place a greater financial burden on them, mostly because of the fire and emergency services.''
When Pickerington annexes land from Violet Township, the township continues to exist there, obligating city residents to pay a share of their property taxes to the township.
Cities can create so-called ''paper townships'' within their boundaries to avoid that crossover.
John Mahoney of the Ohio Municipal League, has not heard of paper townships being a hot issue in communities lately.
''It?’s happened periodically over the years in high-growth communities, or in areas with fights with the township,'' Mahoney said. ''It depends on your history of growth and history of annexation.''
Columbus has a paper township, he noted.
Hackworth said he thinks creating a paper township could ease the school district?’s struggles to pass levies.
''This could relieve the competition for the property-tax dollars for schools,'' he said.
In addition, voters might support income-tax increases to cover costs if the city can ease some of the property-tax burden.
''If you own a home, it would lower your taxes,'' Hackworth said.
Council President Brian Wisniewski wants more information. If the idea seems to have merit, he would support paying a professional to conduct a tax-benefit analysis.
''Everything should be investigated,'' Wisniewski said.
Pickerington City Councilman Michael Sabatino also is keeping an open mind.
''If it proves out that the city residents would end up paying less taxes, it?’s something that the council should seriously consider,'' Sabatino said.
krichards@dispatch.com
Below is an article from today?’s Dispatch regarding paper townships. Funny how humanoids like Fix only are quoted in articles they seemed to have originated. Ted, you can expect to take a lot of flak so be prepared. Hey Coyote, how about deleting everyone?’s account and make them reregister? Then you can contact them through the email address they provide and warn them personally about decorum?
Pickerington considers split from township
Move might lower taxes, shift fire services
Friday, August 04, 2006
Kirk D . Richards
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Pickerington would cut itself off from Violet Township and eliminate the property taxes city residents pay the township under a plan City Councilman Ted Hackworth is exploring.
The city, as its own township, would be obligated to provide residents with fire service that is currently handled by Violet Township.
That does not necessarily mean that the city would create a fire department. Hackworth said Pickerington might be able to save money by contracting for fire service with Violet Township or another jurisdiction.
Pickerington residents pay 7.6 mills in property taxes to Violet Township, about $233 per year for the owner of a $100,000 house. Most of that pays for fire protection.
Hackworth?’s plan would require a vote of Pickerington residents and an agreement with Violet Township, he said.
''It?’s in the preliminary stage,'' Hackworth said.
Violet Township Trustee Harry Myers is skeptical.
''I personally don?’t think it would be good for city residents,'' Myers said. ''I think they?’ll find as they do more research that it?’ll place a greater financial burden on them, mostly because of the fire and emergency services.''
When Pickerington annexes land from Violet Township, the township continues to exist there, obligating city residents to pay a share of their property taxes to the township.
Cities can create so-called ''paper townships'' within their boundaries to avoid that crossover.
John Mahoney of the Ohio Municipal League, has not heard of paper townships being a hot issue in communities lately.
''It?’s happened periodically over the years in high-growth communities, or in areas with fights with the township,'' Mahoney said. ''It depends on your history of growth and history of annexation.''
Columbus has a paper township, he noted.
Hackworth said he thinks creating a paper township could ease the school district?’s struggles to pass levies.
''This could relieve the competition for the property-tax dollars for schools,'' he said.
In addition, voters might support income-tax increases to cover costs if the city can ease some of the property-tax burden.
''If you own a home, it would lower your taxes,'' Hackworth said.
Council President Brian Wisniewski wants more information. If the idea seems to have merit, he would support paying a professional to conduct a tax-benefit analysis.
''Everything should be investigated,'' Wisniewski said.
Pickerington City Councilman Michael Sabatino also is keeping an open mind.
''If it proves out that the city residents would end up paying less taxes, it?’s something that the council should seriously consider,'' Sabatino said.
krichards@dispatch.com
