Two disputable issues were discussed at length during Shelby’s City Council meeting on Monday night. Comments from members of the public sparked conversation about Ordinance 9-2014, which raises the issue of whether to establish a residency tax credit and an additional tax credit. Early-morning trash pickups were also discussed.
Ordinance 9-2014, sponsored by Councilman Nathan Martin, would present to Shelby voters the ability to increase the general income tax payable to the city by 0.5 percent and create a residency credit for individuals and businesses within the city of Shelby of 0.5 percent. The actual increase to Shelby residents would be zero. Tracy White, a resident of Mansfield who works in the city of Shelby, voiced his concern with such a tax during public comment.
“I want the council to consider how this is going to affect non-resident business owners,” said White. “I think this proposal would affect the bottom line for every non-resident business owner. I’ve actually talked to a non-resident business owner and he’s very angry and upset over it.”
White pointed out that it is the city of Shelby’s responsibility to retain qualified professionals who work within the city.
“In this area I think Shelby’s policies and politics in this area are generally conservative. I don’t think this idea is conservative and I would urge the council to keep coming up with creative ways to fund the General Fund and consider the long-term ramifications of such a proposal,” said White.
After holding a town hall meeting on Monday, April 28, Martin said he heard from many business owners who felt the tax would affect their ability to hire, and non-resident business owners who felt the tax would impede their ability to do business in the city of Shelby.
“This was never the intent of the legislation,” said Martin. “Barring any other discussion, I would like to make a motion to commit (the ordinance) to the personnel and finance committee.” The motion to commit passed, with only Councilman Garland Gates opposing.
Councilwoman Pat Carlisle introduced Ordinance 12-2014 to council Monday night, a piece of legislation she called an “alternative” to Ordinance 9-2014. Ordinance 12-2014 would introduce a 0.2 percent income tax for three years for the purpose of maintaining safety forces in the city of Shelby. A 0.2 percent income tax would produce approximately $435,000 annually that would be expended specifically for Police and Fire Department line items from the General Fund. At present, the Police and Fire Departments represent 75 percent of the total General Fund budget.
“I see it as another option for trying to do something in the General Fund,” said Carlisle. “This particular piece of legislation is less than previously proposed income tax. It is short term, and it is specific to expenses for safety forces.”
A topic Carlisle brought up at the April 21 City Council meeting was also brought up on Monday night. On April 21, Carlisle mentioned she had been receiving complaints from people in her ward concerning trash pick-ups in the early morning hours.
“I would really like to know if the councilmember’s have any ideas at some point for how we can approach that,” said Carlisle on April 21. “There are villages and cities that have limits for what the earliest trash pickup can be. It is very annoying and it happens regularly.”
During public comment Patty Harrington, a resident of Taft Street in Shelby, expressed her disapproval of council’s discussions regarding the trash haulers.
“It was a problem three years ago that was voted down and I don’t understand why, with the problems we have in town, that we keep hashing up old problems,” said Harrington.
Harrington pointed out a number of other noise sources happening late at night, including operations at ArcelorMittal, farming equipment, helicopters flying into OhioHealth MedCentral Shelby, and the trains.
“Every single thing in this town to keep this town operating works at night,” said Harrington. “Are we going to put a curfew on the time that anybody in this town can drive through town in a loud car because somebody might be sleeping?”
Finance Director Bob Lafferty mentioned he received 23 calls at Shelby City Hall from residents and two businesses that would like to keep the trash-hauling schedule as it is. Law Director Gordon Eyster also offered to discuss the legal aspects or safety concerns he has, including criminal investigations concerning accidents which have occurred as a result of vehicles attempting to pass workers on Main Street.
“I guess I just think there is more to worry about than whether or not we hear noise,” said Harrington.
