Friday - November 09, 2007
How Out of Touch is Hamilton County Government?
One day after Hamilton County residents overturned a sales tax increase initiated by our commissioners and one year after a similar sales tax was rejected by the same voters, county admistrators suggested the tax be raised anyway. To even suggest it, even as part of providing "all the alternatives", is simply so arrogant, yet so politically stupid, it suggests to us that the county is being run by near incompetents. Though considering the outflow of business and people from the county, that is pretty obvious.
Twice in two years, the people of Hamilton County have rejected a sales tax increase. In May, the commissioners ignored the voice of the people and raised the sales tax without voter approval. In response, the people had the issue put on the ballot and they overwhelmingly rejected the sales tax increase (see this post for a recap of events).
Yet bureacrats in the Hamilton County government, just one day after the voters took the commissioners to task, suggested that the tax be raised anyway. At what point will our government get the message, NO SALES TAX INCREASE!
The people have spoken. Get over it. You lost. And in case those on in Hamilton County government don't get it, let me explain it in no uncertain terms.
Raising the sales tax will drive consumer dollars to Clermont, Butler, Dearbon, Kenton, Campbell, and Boone counties, all which have lower sales tax rates. Why buy a refrigerator in Hamilton County when you can save $30 or $40 across the state border? If consumers don't spend in the county, your revenues go down.
Raising the sales tax will drive business out of the county. It isn't like Hamilton County has businesses knocking at our door to relocate here. Making it more expensive for businesses to operate here will just make your revenue problems even worse.
Cut your budget. Live within your means. Just because there is a budget shortfall doesn't mean your only option is to raise taxes. You know, there is this other thing you can do.
Finally, the people have told you twice that they do no want to raise the sales tax. That is the final word.
The day after voters resoundingly defeated a sales tax increase to fund a new jail, Hamilton County administrators recommended that commissioners raise the tax anyway to help offset a projected $35 million budget shortfall for 2008.
In a memo to county commissioners Wednesday, Hamilton County Administrator Patrick Thompson and county budget director and deputy administrator Christian Sigman noted that raising the county's sales tax to 6.75 percent from its current 6.5 percent for one year could generate $33 million.
"Using an increase in the sales tax to grow the general fund balance is not without precedent," the memo said. "During a two-year period between 2005 and 2007, Franklin County increased its sales tax rate from 6.5 percent to 7 percent to bolster its general fund balance and maintain its AAA bond rating." Franklin County, home to Columbus, lowered its tax back to 6.75 percent after the two-year period. Read more....
Author: The Machiavellian
Technorati Tags: Hamilton County Ohio
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