[ back ]
Claridon looks for a tax-sharing partner
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - November 19, 2008)
Claridon looks for a tax-sharing partner
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Claridon Township Trustees were torn last week over which direction to take with a joint economic development district.
They differed over which community the township should join forces with to increase revenues through the tax-sharing development districts.
Trustee David Brockway said he brought the issue before the board to determine whether trustees want to consider a tax-sharing plan.
A JEDD allows townships, which lack the authority to collect income taxes, to join forces with municipalities that do have that authority. The two entities then work out an agreement for sharing of the income taxes collected in commercial or industrial areas of townships.
Claridon Township is considering using a JEDD in the area of Geauga Medical Center east of Ravenna Road (Route 44).
When Mr. Brockway asked for input from other board members, Trustee Mary Briggs said she wanted further discussion on the issue.
She said attorney Charles Riehl had told township officials that the two communities involved in the JEDD must each provide services to the area to be taxed. In this case, she said, Burton Village and Claridon would both have to provide services to the area of Geauga Regional Hospital. She said the Chardon Fire Department, not the Burton Fire Department, provides fire services to that area.
Mr. Brockway said he does not know at this point what services Burton may provide to the area. However, he said, he's only interested in talking with Burton, not Chardon, on the possibility of a JEDD. "I don't want to discuss it with Chardon," he said.
Mrs. Briggs said she's also concerned about the people who would be taxed under the JEDD.
Mr. Brockway said the board should table the issue at this point and revisit it at the board's Nov. 24 meeting.
Ms. Briggs said she wants to discuss the issue with both communities, not just Burton.
Mr. Brockway said that after discussions with Mr. Riehl, he approached Burton Mayor Thomas Blair Sr. and mentioned the possibility. He said the board is expected to discuss the issue with Burton Village Council.
Ms. Briggs said she was not aware that Mr. Brockway had approached Burton officials.
"I'm so sorry," Mr. Brockway said.
"My first choice was Burton," he said. "I just decided Burton." He said he did not want to talk with Chardon, but the board could decide which community it wants to discuss it with. "I do not want to talk to Chardon, but, if the board does, that's fine," he said.
Ms. Briggs asked Trustee Edward Ward which community he prefers.
Mr. Ward said he has no opinion. But he said he did not appreciate Ms. Briggs' insinuations that Mr. Brockway had done something wrong. "You are always accusing people of stuff," he said. "I'm sick of it. I'm sick of you."
Ms. Briggs replied that she was "happy," and the discussion ended there.
[ back ]
