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May 3 - 10, 2006
Council to consider 2-mill tax increase
Public forums will be heldafter city staff prepares a 'menu' of possible cuts.
By BRITTINY DUNLAP
For at least five years, Worthington City Council has been spending more than the city is receiving in revenue.
Based on estimated figures for the end of 2006 by the finance director, the city will spend nearly $1 million from the carryover fund balance in addition to revenue. Slowly, the city is spending its way into debt.
After examining the budget information for the past five months and tiptoeing around growing budget concerns, council members decided Monday they could not wait any longer. In a 6-1 vote, with John Butterfield dissenting, council asked city staff to draft an ordinance that would raise property taxes by 2 mills, with the understanding that no action would be taken without two community forums.
The ordinance was proposed by councilwoman Lou Briggs and seconded by councilman Bob Chosy.
"Nobody wants to talk about a tax increase and it's probably not a good time, but we have to do this," Briggs said.
Homeowners' property taxes would increase by $62 annually per $100,000 in home value if the increased millage is approved by council. Currently, Worthington residents are paying on 3 mills, or $92 annually per $100,000 in home value, said Finance Director Steve Gandee.
The increase in millage does not require voter approval because the city charter, approved by voters when established, allows City Council to raise and lower taxes up to 8 mills without going to voters, Gandee said.
Taxes paid to the city of Worthington currently represent just under 5 percent of a resident's tax bill, Gandee said.
"For a broad majority of Worthington residents, this 2-mill increase is coming on suddenly," said councilman Mike Duffey. "We owe it to all residents and taxpayers to examine cuts thoroughly first before we discuss a tax increase."
A decision must be made prior to July 15, when Gandee submits the 2007 annual tax budget to council for approval. He also must submit the budget to the Franklin County Budget Commission by July 20.
"I think staff and this council has been diligent with the budget," said council President Lou Goorey. "We have a very lean budget. With the time frame we have now, if we don't look at raising taxes now, we are going to be in a deficit."
Butterfield, who has been a strong voice on council for increased focus on economic development, questioned how this tax increase would benefit such development.
"One of the reasons people come to Worthington is the services," Chosy said. "That includes businesses who come to Worthington."
Before the first community forum, which is not yet scheduled, city staff will prepare a "menu" of possible cuts and cost savings associated with each item. That information will be provided to the community at the forum.
"I strongly urge staff to come up with cuts that are realistic," Chosy said. "Come up with the information that is the truth, not what is meant to scare people. These have to be very real."
Briggs and councilwoman Bonnie Michael said they want to hear from residents if they want cuts or want to pay more for the current level of services.
Prior to speaking with the community, Duffey said he wanted to see a cut scenario.
"We have not held a council meeting discussing reductions," Duffey said. "There has been no staff memorandum on cuts, no council retreats and no discussion of budget cuts on a council agenda. We have had memos on tax increases numerous time though. The fact that we are doing this now is because the majority of council has painted themselves into a corner. ... There is this feeling that there's a foregone conclusion we're going to approve this tax increase."
In the past 36 years, City Council has reduced property taxes six times. Reductions were made in 1970 to 6.63 mills, in 1971 to 6.5 mills, in 1974 to 5.5 mills, in 1980 to 4.5 mills, in 1992 to 3.5 mills and in 1996 to 3 mills.
In 1994, all Worthington property owners saw a 6-mill reduction in taxes when the city of Worthington took over fire services formerly provided by Sharon Township Fire Department
At the same time, income taxes were raised from 1 percent to 1.65 percent to offset the operational costs of the fire department when it came over to the city, Gandee said.
March 22 - 29, 2006
Levy campaign gears up
By PAMELA WILLIS
Yes! buttons are showing up on lapels all over town as Worthington City School District levy supporters kick off a campaign to urge voters to say "Yes! To Issue 5" on the May ballot.
Issue 5 is the 6.25-mill combined levy request placed on the May 2 ballot by the district. Five mills of the request is a continuing operating levy request and 1.25-mills is a five-year permanent-improvement levy request.
If approved by voters, Issue 5 will cost homeowners an additional $191.41 annually per $100,000 in property valuation and would generate $12,115,152 per year for the school district, according to the Franklin County auditor's office.
Meetings to organize volunteers and gather information for the levy campaign will be held at 6:30 p.m. today and 10 a.m. Saturday at the Worthington Education Center, 200 E. Wilson Bridge Road.
Campaign co-chairman Saul Seigel said the 19 individuals on the levy committee will work to communicate the need for the levy to the community.
"We need to energize voters to vote yes," Seigel said. "The more help we get, the easier that task will be."
Jon and Aurora Bloom also are co-chairmen of the committee.
Seigel is a longtime resident of Worthington and a veteran when it comes to levy campaigns.
"I worked on the last two levy campaigns for the district, and they were successful," Seigel said. "I personally believe that the elected community members who serve on the board and our Superintendent Melissa Conrath are outstanding individuals. We have 9,000 children in our district, and they deserve the finest education we can give them."
Seigel said the district's decision to hire Conrath was a wise one.
"We hired the most outstanding superintendent we could imagine and I am tremendously impressed with her, particularly since I see her everywhere I go. She is out in the community and in the schools," Seigel said. "If we don't pass the levy request, it would be like hiring the CEO of a $100 million organization and then telling her it is going bankrupt. We have to give her the tools that will take advantage of her leadership."
The district has earned an "Excellent" rating on the state report card for five years in a row, Seigel said.
"When you walk into a situation that has been declared "Excellent" for five years in a row, you want to maintain the status quo," Seigel said.
Seigel said he can understand senior citizens' concerns over higher taxes.
"I'm a widower approaching 80 and I can use every dime I can get a hold of," Seigel said. "But I think the levy is an important issue and sometimes we have to sacrifice to achieve the success of such an important issue."
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