The village currently has a 1 percent income tax in place while the proposed increase is for 1/4 of 1 percent. If passed, the 1 1/4 income tax would be paid by those both working and living in Pomeroy who earn income. Only those who live in Pomeroy will get a chance to vote on the ballot issue unlike those who work in the village, pay the tax but live elsewhere. The tax is normally handled through payroll deductions.
The vote to put the increase on the ballot was not unanimous with Councilwoman Ruth Spaun and Councilman Victor Young voting against the motion. Spaun cited a 17 percent unemployment rate as her reason for voting against the motion.
Mayor John Musser said the increase, if passed, would add $80,000 to Pomeroy’s annual income; income Musser called “sorely needed.” Last year, Musser said those on a fixed income will not be affected by the increase. Those who have retired but decide to go back to work earning new income would pay the income tax only on that new income. If passed, the increase would likely go into effect June 1.
Council also unanimously approved the second reading of an amendment of Ordinance 445, which currently requires those in the trash pick-up service to pay a $50 annual permit fee to operate in the village. The amendment would raise this annual fee to $100. There are currently nine independent trash collectors legally operating in the village. The original ordinance was approved in 1974.
Council approved transferring $10,000 from the general to the street fund.
Council approved annual appropriations for 2010 at $2.2 million, which is up from last year’s appropriations. Clerk Treasurer Kathy Hysell attributed some of this to federal stimulus funds which were received by the village for a water meter replacement project.
(Editor’s note: This is the first of two stories about Monday’s meeting of Pomeroy Village Council.)
Linda Schall
Lincoln Heights
Pomeroy Ohio