The Observation Deck

What if...


What if the tax being thrown around, and the amount 2.5 million to 3 million was nothing more than a payment.

What if a 2.5 million tax increase was enough to secure a $30,000,000 loan? Which happens to be the amount needed by the city to fix the streets.

While it is easy to shpw that 1.5 million might be eaten up with raises and benefits. What if the entire amount was used to pay the note?

Just a thought as i do the math a different way.

.

Suppose those things were true.


Then I would submit that this information should be given to the taxpayers in the interest of full disclosure so we can make informed decisions at the voting booth.

And Mr. Demro? Is there something that you are trying to accomplish with your aggressively toned posts? Color me thick - but Ill need you to be more straightforward about your intentions because I cant quite glean what they are.

Still... I encourage ALL council people to vote NO w/ Mr. Demro on any ballot initiative that we are not given enough time to review. In my simple mind that is akin to bullying... and I don't like to be bullied.

Kind Regards,
~Charyn

One other little item that has been misrepresented: that those living AND working in Lakewood would be unfairly taxed as a result of this proposal.

As the tax is currently collected, Lakewood residents who work outside the city pay a larger tax bill than those who work within the city.

If you work in Cleveland, for example, your employer is required to collect 2% of your wages. When you file your RITA. or local income tax, you owe your residence city whatever their tax rate is, which in Lakewood is 1.5%. Lakewood currently gives you a maximum .50 credit for taxes you've already paid to your work city. So you only get credit in Lakewood for .5% even though you've paid 2%. You owe the other 1% additional tax to Lakewood.

Therefore, a city resident who works in Cleveland pays a total local income tax of 3%. In comparison, a Lakewood resident who works in Lakewood pays 1.5% of their wage income for city tax.

So, for many years, MOST of the residents of this city have paid MORE in total local tax than some others.

Now you may argue over which entity gets the tax money, but the person paying it only cares that 3% of their pay was due for local tax while his neighbor paid only 1.5%.

Now the city is asking that the Lakewood worker pay 2%. If you live and work in Lakewood, you STILL will be paying less than your neighbor who works outside the city.

In addition, many of those who will be paying the higher tax rate live OUTSIDE Lakewood. Think of all the teachers and city workers who come into Lakewood to work. THEY will be paying more to the city.

Just some things to think about.

"Frankly Ryan, you're the THIRD councilperson I've heard from that is voting no."

Steve - who were the other two? I ask because in my conversations with council, NO ONE other than RYAN could or would commit themselves.

Not everyone uses these boards regularly, Suzanne, so I understand why our positions are not always public. Frankly, because this ordinance is in flux, some councilpeople may still be making up their minds, which I also respect.

If the tax increase comes before us, I will be voting no on Feb. 6. I've made the decision that the ordinance should not be on the May ballot â€â€￾ and that if an increase is needed, we must do a lot more legwork over the coming months to prove it to ourselves and our neighbors first. Jim O'Bryan makes a great point above, but as of now I see no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Thanks for the opportunity to clarify my position.

Kevin Butler
(Councilman, Ward 1)
kmb@jeromelaw.com

Thanks for the clarification Kevin.

Lakewood residents have consistently demonstrated a willingness to open their wallets when they are confident that the plan is sound and that those in charge of the implementation are trustworthy stewards.

I believe that this isn't about being a tax opponent or proponent but about changing the way the City of Lakewood does business. This is a great opportunity for council to make a material and positive impact. By insisisting that the community be engaged, that community resources be tapped and that politics and paybacks aren't welcome, the city will have joined the schools, the library, and the hospital in implementing a "best practices" method of management that can only enhance our community's reputation.

Suzanne:

Your post suggests that you spoke to all of City Council regarding their positions on Mayor George's income tax increase proposal, and that they were equivocal. You've never contacted me about this issue, as you know. Your brother called me in December and I told him my position: no.

As reported in the Sun Post in November of 2005, my position was: no.

Also, this issue was asked in the candidate forums last October and broadcast on Cox cable and my position was: no.

Even earlier, it was discussed back in the 2004 and 2005 budget hearings, and my position was: no.

My reasoning: I want the system reformed before any more money goes into it.

Thanks.

Ed,

Let's just clarify here. There are two potential "no" positions.

1) Voting against putting it on the ballot.

or

2) Saying that you do not support it, but voting to put it on the ballot.

The second position was one that another councilperson discussed at my recent meeting on the tax increase. So are you a one or a two?

Ed, I'm sorry I gave that impression. You're correct I haven't polled each councilperson.

It was my understanding that while you were against the tax you would vote to put it on the ballot. I found that position inconsistent with the community's expectation of a representative government recommending a course of action. From my perspective, it didn't indicate a clear position.

I hope each councilperson will take advantage of the LO to express clearly their position on this issue.

Thanks,
Suzanne

This may be slightly off topic, but I think we have enough council here to ask for a strategic plan for the city. Ryan and Mary Louise were clear about the need for it last night. It sounds as if Kevin and Ed and stating opinions that support it.

I believe we only need 4 council people to force the city to do something.

Lynn Farris wrote:This may be slightly off topic, but I think we have enough council here...

Lynn


For the record we have ALL Council, the mayor, many members of almost every department including Law, Building, Health and Human services, Pat Caroll, All the School Board, Firs and Police on this board.

They have kep their promise. Build a board with respect and real names and we will participate.

For that I am very thankful.


Jim

The complaint last night that I heard from Ryan and Mary Louise was that they couldn't get a strategic plan despite the fact that they had asked for one.

I think we have 4 council people that can vote to require the city to do a strategic plan. Although I can't imagine why anyone would oppose it.

Suzanne:

No means no. I'm not sure where your understanding that I would vote to put it on the ballot comes from, because I have never advocated for that, either in public or in private.

Lynn- you're right about the lack of a clear plan. Any future decision to raise taxes should only come as a result of a consensus community planning decision. In this case, the decision to raise taxes was made immediately, and now there is a belated attempt to get community support for it. The desire to raise income taxes was first expressed by the Mayor before the Grow Lakewood committee was even formed. I think we're going about this backwards.

When the attempt was made to put this tax on the ballot a few weeks ago without any further debate, I opposed that because I felt that the public debate had been lacking. Lakewood residents will be involved in these decisions regardless, and it only makes sense to get them in on the ground floor.

I'm can't complain about this, quite the opposite I'm happy !!
I mailed in my check on Sunday night, April 16th and the city still hasn't cashed it! The money's still in my bank account earning interest.
The county would have already cashed it! Take all the time you'd like, Lakewood!

Joe