Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Hey guys!! I can tell you why the tax hike failed for a small portion of what you plan to spendfor this survey. Wouldn?’t the better question be how and what kind of a tax increase will pass and what must be done to ensure that passage?

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City hopes poll tells why tax hike failed

Sunday, December 14, 2008 3:43 AM

By Jim Woods

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Pickerington leaders might spend up to $20,000 to find out why voters didn't support doubling the city's income tax.

The City Council's finance committee told City Manager Tim Hansley to solicit proposals from pollsters. Hansley estimates the cost at $15,000 to $20,000.
''We need to know why it failed and why it failed so miserably,'' said Councilman Jeff Fix. Just 35 percent of voters supported the tax increase, though 80 percent of resident taxpayers would not have paid more because the measure included a credit for taxes paid elsewhere.

The income tax's failure caused the city to slash $1.4 million from the 2009 budget. Among the cuts, the city won't send out plows on residential streets for less than 3 inches of snow.

The city also won't support a July 4 parade and fireworks.

Mayor Mitch O'Brien said the city won't accept a $1,000 offer from the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals for a laser show to substitute for fireworks. O'Brien said the city can't cover the rest of the cost and lacks a proper venue for a laser display anyway.

Meanwhile, officials are looking for other ways to raise revenue.
Councilman Michael Sabatino suggested that the city could ask for a higher police levy. The city's police levy now generates $1.35 million.

If Pickerington voters are asked to decide on an income tax or police levy, it probably won't be on the ballot until November, O'Brien said

Councilman Brian Wisniewski said the city also could raise storm-sewer fees to help pay for the widening of Diley Road. The city will start making full payments on its $7 million share of the $20 million project in 2010.

jwoods@dispatch.com

A little here, a little there

Let's see. $10,000 to promote a tax increase, $20,000 to poll why it failed. For a city that is cash strapped, it doesn't look good to be throwing around chunks of money like that. Silly council!! The tax increase failed because people are tired of being asked for money from government and school boards, and whom ever at every turn. Then they have to see numbers like these. What kind of bumbling fools have we elected. We get what we deserve!!

Your suggestion is?

Cuts the police dept in 1/2?

No suggestions given

I don't believe there were any suggestions for making cuts. The article claimed the city had already made over a million dollars in cuts. Apparently those cuts were not enough.

The members of council are all over the board with different thoughts and ideas. From a reader?’s perspective it is difficult to follow. Sabatino wants to float a property tax and he doesn't say how many mills that would be. Then Wisniewski talks about a storm water fund paying off Diley road. I am not sure if that is even legal. Fix is still mumbling about losing the tax hike when he claims it wouldn't have affected 80% of the voters. Everyone gave Sauer trouble because he was just suspected of trying to cut the police department. Wisniewski says the police department won't be cut on his blog.

So if the city hires someone to survey the attitudes of the voters then what are they going to be asking? Between now and then they all (council) better get on the same page and be honest and refine their message. If you are asking people if they will support a tax increase whether it be income or property you better have details and why there is a need. With no reasoning or any expressed need no one will support raising their taxes. Saying you want to maintain services doesn't get it. Neither does the free lunch deal. Sounded like they were trying to sell a used car.

Just from the comments we can see a take the voters for granted attitude prevailed until the final results on November 4th came in. Some on council still can?’t believe it. They need to get over it.