Council Hears Proposed Changes to Income Tax Issue

Stow City Council talked briefly Monday about two ways to change the proposed safety tax issue that would raise income tax 0.25 percent to boost the city’s police force and add to school security.

Councilmen Brian Lowdermilk and Mike Rasor pitched two different yet similar proposals during Monday’s committee of the whole with regards to the proposed income tax increase.

Rasor proposed presenting the issue to voters as a charter amendment that would set a specific budget level for the police department — in line with 2013 figures — for future years while specifically stating the additional money raised by the 0.25 percent income tax increase would be limited to law enforcement use.

“The gist of it is that we’re protecting the current money for the police department,” Rasor said.

While similar, Lowdermilk’s proposal would set a specific dollar figure for a police budget while also stipulating the income tax increase would be limited to hiring 11 officers.

The twist to Lowdermilk’s proposal is that any extra money generated by the proposed tax beyond the expenses related to 11 officers would be given back to Stow residents via a tax credit.

“I think it’s only right that the people that signed up to give the city that money get a portion of that back if we have a budget that doesn’t need an extra boost,” Lowdermilk said.

Members of council and the administration, including the mayor, police chief, law director and finance director, all weighed in on the proposals during the committee of the whole meeting.

Stow Police Chief Louis Dirker said he was concerned about the department being restricted to a set budget and number of officers.

“If the income tax brings in more money I’d sure like to hire more than 11 officers,” he said. “As a city we are way understaffed.”

The proposal from the city administration to raise the income tax from 2 percent to 2.25 percent for law enforcement purposes has already had two readings at council and is expected to have a final vote this month.

Jim Costello, chair of the committee, recessed Monday’s meeting before council could vote on the proposals. Costello said he wanted to reconvene the meeting Thursday when Councilman Matt Riehl, who was absent Monday, could weigh in and all members of council could get a chance to vote on the proposals.

The committee of the whole will reconvene at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

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