Portsmouth City Solicitor Mike Jones, Fifth Ward City Councilman John Haas and Tony Hamilton of Portsmouth Firefighters Association Local 512, gathered in Jones’ office for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by the firefighters foregoing their scheduled 3 percent pay increase to help bring the city’s budget deficit under control. Haas took the opportunity to talk about the need for a city income tax increase.
“One of the things that is really important to show is that all of the city employees — the fire, the police, union and non-union are all really working together to cut expenses where we can — and to show the general public that we’re not just blowing money left and right, and that an income tax increase is really necessary to keep services at a level where it has been. And if there are additional items or things the public want us to do, it’s not going to be possible without an income tax increase.”
Haas said he believes the public will see the actions of the city workers attempting to help with the budget, and that will help voters decide to support the increase.
“I think it has been very enlightening dealing with the fire union, the police union, and AFSCME (American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees). They have all been very helpful, and worked with an eye toward what is best for the city. I feel like we’re all starting to row in the same direction finally.”
Hamilton agreed with Haas in his assessment of the need for an income tax increase.
“The last time the city of Portsmouth had an income tax increase, the postage stamp was 20 cents,” Hamilton said. “You can’t continue the services that you have with the same amount of money. We would love to, but we can’t. You have a safety issue there. You have to maintain a certain amount of people to continue the services you have. Without the money, you can’t do it. You’re going to lose services.”
Both Haas and Jones said work will be done on the wording of the legislation and presented to City Council in the near future.
Jones indicated the language for the tax increase proposal had to be ready by August to get onto the November ballot.
Portsmouth Mayor Jane Murray was, at press time, unavailable for comment on the idea of a proposed tax increase.
FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232 or flewis@heartlandpublications.com
Well also when a postage stamp was 20 cents, there were jobs within the city limit where a person could make an honest living !
Did city council forget before this recession hit the USA, Portsmouth was already in a depression and the voters already said no to an income tax increase ?
If one goes to the Ohio Department of Taxation website, there are 100's upon 100's of cities in Ohio that pay less income tax than Portsmouth, and they are paying their bills !
Maybe its because they spend their money wisely.
Like not purchasing 1.9 million dollar 100 year old Martings Buildings as an emergency, to help the good ol boys in town.
Portsmouth City Council also paid $15,000 to re paint the stars on the floodwall.
Two Mayors back paid $8,000 to paint murals on the side of the garbage trucks with city council approval.
They just 1 year ago paid $50,000 to put a roof on the Martings Annex, but let the current city building roof fall in.
They just approved and bought a new $25,000 car for the Auditors Office, when the city is broke.
They paid $20,000 for an internet web site for the city.
They paid for new wirless internet service in the city building. An article in the Portsmouth Times last week, says this " Judge Kegley then cites action by Council that included their approval of $148,000 and $103,698.13 to provide wireless connectivity for the City Building, “for which there was absolutely no need.”
The list goes on and on, and they want the voters of Portsmouth, Ohio to pass an income tax ?
Then the article up above, Councilman Haas says "working together to cut expenses where we can — and to show the general public that we’re not just blowing money left and right ".
Are the above things I just mentioned, not blowing money ?
This is totally unbelievable. Its not wonder no business or industry comes to this town. The people we have running this city council!
If anyone seen the last council meeting, the 4th ward had a clean up day, and not 1 single city council person showed up to help. The residents picked up 14 tons of garbage, and these great city council members didnt pick up 1 ounce !