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Waynesville: Institute income tax or abolish village

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Steve Johnson, a village of Waynesville Street Department employee, tries unsuccessfully Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, to repair a chipper that hasn't been used since last year. Village manager Bruce Snell said street maintenance items could be on the chopping block since voters rejected the proposed 1 percent income tax levy last week. Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli

Apryl Pilolli/Staff photographer Steve Johnson, a village of Waynesville Street Department employee, tries unsuccessfully Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, to repair a chipper that hasn't been used since last year. Village manager Bruce Snell said street maintenance items could be on the chopping block since voters rejected the proposed 1 percent income tax levy last week. Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli

By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 12:36 PM Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Waynesville leaders say if they do not institute an income tax immediately, they will have no choice but to abolish the village.

Council directed staff to draw up plans for an income tax at a meeting Monday, Nov. 16. Even though a measure to get voter’s approval on an income tax in Waynesville was soundly defeated by 38 percent on Nov. 3, village council can still vote in its own income tax of up to 1 percent.

“I will go ahead and be the bad guy and recommend (an income tax),” said councilwoman Sandy Stemple. “This is our only option.”

The village is facing a deficit of more than $250,000, particularly in police and street maintenance and repair funds. The village has been under fiscal emergency since April 2008 and has had financial problems dating back to 2005, when virtually no bookkeeping was done for at least 18 months, according to Village Manager Bruce Snell, who did not work for the village during this time period. Since that time, an entirely new leadership panel has taken over Waynesville, but they are left to dig the village out of its financial hole.

“We didn’t create the problems, but they are our problems to fix,” Snell said.

Council must present a recovery plan to the state’s Recovery Commission by Dec. 29. The plan must give a detailed strategy of either cutting costs or raising revenue to make up for the village’s $250,000 shortfall.

“What cuts are we going to make?” said Charles Feicht. “There’s nothing left to cut.”

Feicht said the city could eliminate street resurfacing and snow removal, but even those areas would not entirely eliminate the village’s deficit.

Of the council members, only Mayor Earl Isaacs said he would not vote for an income tax, but when pressed, did not have an alternative plan to suggest.

Stemple and others said the only alternative they saw beyond an income tax was to formally dissolve the village of Waynesville. Such a move would put the entire village under county and township control with the debt left divided and assessed to the property taxes of the former village.

“We have to pay one way or another,” said Ron Kronenberger, a village business leader who attended the meeting. “We pay for an improved quality of life by living in an incorporated village with our own services or we pay for nothing.”

If Council does institute an income tax, voters could repeal it through a referendum vote. With close to 700 people voting against the income tax levy in November, members of the Village Council conceded a referendum vote was likely, but pledged to inform voters why the income tax was necessary.

The Council will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 to explore the specifics of an income tax.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.

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It amazes me that a group of small minded thinkers are upset that the Village Manager applied for another position. First they want him gone, when he thinks about his family and applies for this position you are offended. It is common practice to move up to larger municipalities, when you are in this position. I am ashamed that you blame him when we voted in council who actually votes in legislature, not VM. Lets not grip over water bills or lawn mowing, when we are to blame for the lame ducks

Dazed & confuse
2:47 PM, 12/21/2009

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The mayor is still not the one who overcharges the citizens for water bills each month nor is it his job to oversee the Dept.

He is also not the one to not return a phone call questioning these charges from Higher Authorities, In 4 days now.

But you think what you wish ok?
Others appreciate knowing who does their job and who doesnt.

Honesty
4:23 PM, 12/14/2009

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You can draw what ever you wish, I had the honesty to admit when I was wrong, and try to always to that,

I am not on trial here, 90% of what I have stated here I have the proof in print to back up.

Anyone is welcome to see it.
Let the current adminstration continue to steal from you , as for me I have had enough.

Forgive me for making an assumption when I was in Jr. High, huge mistake to think someone in the military would not be in the war that was currently waged.

Honesty
4:12 PM, 12/14/2009

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If you drew an incorrect conclusion regarding the Mayor's service, then I am going to draw a correct conclusion that other things you have said are not true.

Truth for Honesty
4:09 PM, 12/13/2009

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No the Mayor did not lie to me, I did not ask him about Vietnam I know he was in the Military and drew that conclusion myself.

I still respect him although have not spoken to him for years.
I doubt even He will not appreciate what I am exposing.

I do not wish for anyone to blame someone else for my mistake,
I do respect all that did serve in Vietnam and serve today this is part of the issue here they fight for our rights and Council is bending numbers and laws so our votes mean nothing.

Honesty
6:17 PM, 12/12/2009

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