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"AROUND OUR TOWN"
By Mayor Chuck Haney

YOUR CITY NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

I am writing my August Mayor's column a little early, and it will appear on the 30th of July rather than the first Wednesday in August. There is reason for the early printed product because I want to have the opportunity to talk about your city and its future and how we all can help.

This past March, I watched closely as city department heads marched in and out of city hall to discuss and work on a budget for the new fiscal year 2008-2009. There were a number of meetings and then the city council sat down to go over the numbers with the city administrator. They were all trying to get the numbers in line and work for unanimous support of a budget that hopefully would take care of the needs of Chillicothe in a time of a spiraling economy.

It wasn't simple and it wasn't perfect, but department heads sliced to the bone, including much needed equipment and other items in order that the budget would work. Finally after all of those meetings and all of that slicing, a budget of $11.3 million went before the city council and was adopted unanimously. It wasn't the budget that most wanted, but it was the one that proposed for a new fiscal year.

Now, all of the registered voters in the city of Chillicothe will have the opportunity to move another step forward in its progressive ways if they support and vote for a city use tax next Tuesday, August 5, 2008. The city ordinance that was adopted calling for the election and the later resolution that was unanimously adopted spelled out exactly what areas the projected money would be used for. Is it needed? You bet it is and I plan to explain some of the reasons why.

Here's something I have learned as a native of Chillicothe and as one who has worked in the news reporting arena for many years. Tell the people what they are voting on. Spell out all of the details and tell why it is needed. A use tax is so important to our city at this time.

What is it and who does it affect? A city use tax is a tax on purchases in excess of $2,000 from out-of-state sellers that are shipped to Chillicothe.

Who will pay the use tax? Businesses and individuals who purchase items from out-of-state vendors that exceed $2,000 in a calendar year.

Ask yourself this question: Did I pay a use tax to Livingston County last year? If the answer is no, you will not pay a use tax to the city. In fact, less than 10 percent of the residents of the city of Chillicothe will be affected by a use tax.

What do local businesses think about the use tax? Most realize it removes the advantage to purchase goods from out-of-state vendors. In other words, a use tax levels the playing field between Chillicothe merchants and out-of-state vendors who sell tax free. For our local merchants, it just makes it fair. Our sources of revenue are limited and today's economy such as $4.00 gasoline makes it difficult to balance a budget and get the work done and equipment purchased that the city needs.

The next thing I want to explain is the plan your city has for the funds expected to be received from the use tax. First and foremost 50 percent of the funds will go to retain and to train our valuable employees. It is time for us to keep our employees working here and not leaving after training time and a few weeks or months on the job for better pay. It is important that we continue to give all of our city employees and department heads the best training possible in order that they do the job we expect.

Twenty-five percent will be used to acquire much needed new equipment and to maintain city equipment we have. It will also be used for our facilities, some which are outdated and some which are too small to store our equipment such as fire trucks, emergency equipment and ambulances outside.

Twenty-five percent would be used for economic development. In a broad term it would be used to assist local businesses and to attract new business and industry to our community.

In all of the above areas, your city has done a good job, but the sources of revenue for Chillicothe are limited while expenses continue to climb.

Adopting a resolution and stating where the funds would be spent will set a true and trusted pattern not only for this council but future councils to abide by. There's no shortcut to success. There's no shortcut to progress.

There is a reason why Chillicothe is successful. It has been the positive attitude of the people of this community. The majority of people do not accept failure or being negative. They want the best and they expect the best and our community of 9,000 is the best. That's exactly why Chillicothe is successful.

Longtime residents Betty Preston-Steele and John Cook stepped forward along with Rollie Staldman to head up the campaign. They are respected people who are interested in the progress of the city and have taken time from their busy schedules to bring the use tax proposal to many groups and individuals.

Having nine of our elected officials step forward and endorse this proposal, as well as respected groups like the Chillicothe Development Corporation, Board of Public Works and the professional firefighters of Chillicothe Local 2460, have been key as well as the city advisory boards (parks & recreation, golf and airport) who gave their unanimous support.

Our track record in Chillicothe in the past 10 to 15 years has been perfect and I believe the majority of the people of this great city want to keep it that way. Please take the time to vote next Tuesday, August 5 and I am hopeful you will join me and others in supporting and voting for the use tax.

I am in the mayor’s office in city hall each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and my office door is always open to hear from you—either suggestions, comments or any complaint.

This monthly column is available each month through the Constitution-Tribune.

You may also call city hall and ask for administrative assistant Joella Shiflett, or email her. She will make arrangements to mail you a copy.