BARBERTON: Finance Director Ray Flickinger proposed a resolution to oppose House Bill 601 in Monday night’s city council meeting, claiming that it is just another attempt by the state government to control cities’ revenues.
“Income tax is a local tax,” he said. “It should remain that way. Period.”
HB 601 is a bill on municipal income tax that would make all city income tax ordinances the same throughout Ohio. Right now cities can pass their own income tax ordinances, which vary across cities.
Flickinger said if passed the bill could erase certain taxes within cities that generate revenue. Also, if taxpayers were unhappy with any decisions made on the income tax, they would have to go to a state board to appeal rather than a local one.
In other business, the health department Monday requested an Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination ordinance. It is a storm water plan mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency that will improve the quality of runoff into the waterways.
The health department is already testing for bacteria in runoff, but the EPA requires an ordinance in place.
Also on the upcoming meeting agenda will be a proposal to purchase two vacant houses for a total of $26,500 to straighten out the sewer lines that have been causing backups and flooding in the area.
