Income tax increase set for March election
BOSTON HEIGHTS - After a defeat by approximately 58 percent of the voters in the November election, the village will again propose to increase its income tax from 1 1/2 to 2 percent on the March 2 ballot.
Village treasurer Carol Zeman said if the income tax increase passes, it would create an additional $130,000 annually for the village.
The additional revenue would be placed in the general fund to be used for operations, she said.
The language on the November ballot stated that the monies from the income tax increase would be used for the village's capital improvements, especially road repairs. But, because the village already has a road levy, Zeman said officials decided to change the ballot language. She said the monies from the general fund could be used for capital improvements, but funds designated for capital improvements could not be used for general fund projects.
The increase will be effective July 1, 2004.
To get the word out about the income tax increase, the village is starting a political action committee and plans to host informational meetings next month, according to Zeman.
Mayor Raymond McFall said after the November election he felt that the reason the levy did not pass in November was because "so many levies were on the ballot that the residents took a negative attitude towards it."
Zeman said the last income tax increase proposal was on the ballot three times before it passed in 1999.
She said if the issue does not pass in March then the village "plans to try again for the next election."
E-mail: rdull @ recordpub.net
Phone: 330-688-0088, ext. 3150