City Council discusses new state tax legislation
COSHOCTON – Coshocton City Council met Monday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in City Hall to discuss a zoning change in the city and a uniform municipal tax change set forth by the state.
Mayor Steve Mercer gave the mayor’s report stating that cameras had recently been installed throughout City Hall. He also said the zoning map change had been unanimously decided by the Planning Commission to recommend to city council.
The mayor announced that he had attended the Ohio Municipal League Conference recently and had been informed of a uniform municipal tax form change, which in part states that the state has the only authority to tax residents. Municipalities have no rights to tax residents unless it aligns with the Ohio Municipal League. The new legislation was drafted by the Ohio Municipal League in partnership with an accounting firm. The document is 64 pages long and is drafted in a way that when adopted, the municipalities will be in tandem with the state legislation. The new law parallels the code already in place in the city. The city has some options on how the legislation is adopted; however, if these new regulations are not adopted by Dec. 31, 2015, the city will have no authority to collect income tax. Council gave one reading to the new legislation at the meeting and will go over the regulations in more detail at their next meeting. The new legislation will take effect Jan. 1, 2016.
“It’s significant legislation to make more uniform municipal tax across the state,” said Mercer.
Jerry Stenner gave the Service Director report. Leaf collection will start next week and go through the first part of December. He also said that people have been calling and asking about recycling paper and cardboard due to WestRock closing. WestRock will be phasing out their recycling over the next few weeks. The business is scheduled to keep production going until Nov. 28. Waste Management asks each resident to put their paper and cardboard into the recycling bin and they will handle it. Stenner also announced that with the paving season over, crews will be doing more catch basin work that has been put off.
The mayor also announced that the three-year trash contract with an optional fourth year will expire in March of 2016. The city is already looking at a new contract. He said there is a possibility to spec out containers so trucks can do automatic pick-up of containers. He announced there is a possibility for blue recycling bins instead of boxes.
Council was adjourned after going into executive session.
beth@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Government
