City Council working on sheriff contract, moving forward with tax ordinance
COSHOCTON – The City of Coshocton is a step closer to finalizing its contract with the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office.
Legislation 46-14, an ordinance authorizing the mayor or service director to enter into a contract with the Coshocton County Sheriff for law enforcement protection for the city of Coshocton, was given a first and second reading at council’s Dec. 15 meeting.
“We aren’t quite ready to put it on paper yet, but at our special meeting on Dec. 22 we will have something in writing,” said Mayor Steve Mercer.
That special meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, in council chambers.
During the meeting Ordinance 40-14 also received a third reading and passed, but not without some opposition. The purpose of the ordinance is to amend section 191.05 (D) of the codified ordinances of the City of Coshocton and reads as follows: The resident taxpayer making a return shall, at the time of filing thereof, pay to the administrator the amount of taxes shown as due thereof, however, where the tax so due has been deducted at the source pursuant to 191.06 or where the tax has been paid by the taxpayer pursuant to 191.07 to another municipality the taxpayer may claim credit of these taxes up to but not to exceed .75 percent. All city residents must complete and file a tax return regardless of whether any tax is due.
“I’ve been laboring with this since its inception,” said Councilman Brad Fuller. “I’ve heard a lot of negative feedback and no positive from the people in the community it will affect. I realize there needs to be a fair collection of taxes from all, but my biggest problem is that it’s retroactive (to 2014 taxes). Many people (who work out of town) aren’t prepared for it and it will be a financial burden. I motion we move forward without making it retroactive.”
After Fuller shared his concerns, City Auditor Sherry Kirkpatrick informed council that citizens can set up a payment plan with the city to pay their taxes.
“We will work with people,” she said.
Council President Cliff Biggers then asked for yes or no votes for Fuller’s motion to amend Ordinance 40-14. The motion failed to carry and the ordinance was then put to vote. It passed with only one council member voting no and one abstaining.
The meeting also included another salute to a hometown hero. This week’s honoree was Sergeant Terry J. Foster who is currently stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky and is a motor transport operator. He has been in the service for four years and has spent a total of 18 months in Afghanistan. Fuller presented him with a certificate in front of council and his parents, wife, and two children.
“I thank everyone for your support,” Foster said. “I really appreciate it a lot.”
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Government
