Dollars And Nonsense

COSHOCTON — Coshocton City Council will give the second reading to an ordinance tonight that would do away with the current tax credit for those who live in Coshocton but work outside the city.

The meeting time also has been changed. Council now will meet at 7 p.m.

The change to the taxes will be to a 1 percent credit. For example, someone who works in Columbus and pays 1.5 percent city tax by working there would pay a .5 percent tax to the City of Coshocton by living here.

It’s projected most would pay a .5 percent. all residents must file a return whether they owe anything or not.

The income generated would go into the general fund and is not connected to the fire department support tax. however, the basic idea behind the tax as stated by Councilman Tom Edwards is to have citizens who work outside the city but live in the city pay something that could support services used by residents, such as fire and sheriff safety.

“It’s not a perfect system, but as the mayor said in the state of the city, we have to deal with the cards we’ve been dealt,” Edwards said.

Councilwoman Jackie Salmans said she thinks the timing of the ordinance is poor because citizens already are economically strapped.

“My question is why are we doing this right now. You’re going to upset a whole city of people by proposing this. I’ve had several calls at home regarding this,” said Salmans. “We’re still in a recession, and people are hurting.”

Edwards also suggested having the city possibly join the Regional Income Tax Agency for income tax collection.

Council President Kirby Hasseman also has assigned ideas from the list he compiled of possibilities to improve Coshocton to the various subcommittees he believes they best fit. the subcommittees will be charged with working on the ideas independently and reporting back to Hasseman on a regular basis.

Grants and Economics is charged with establishing a Main Street Business fund, a program to give tax breaks to businesses that expand, creation of strategic plans for the city and look into green initiative grant opportunities.

Finance will explore combining the city and county health departments and closing income tax loopholes.

Parks and recreation will look into establishing a dog park. Housing and property will focus on improving city signage. Safety and security will explore providing energy efficient light bulbs in higher crime areas to be left on all night as a crime deterrent.

In other work session news:

Council still eyeing tax credit change