Youngstown Annex Boardman Austintown (Cortland: school districts, taxi, income)

[scoob]

Any thoughts about this issue.

[CortlandGirl79]

I've been hearing about it, but don't really know the details. The only thing i've heard is that everyone is against it other than the city of Youngstown.

As someone from Trumbull County, and not knowing much about it, it sounds to me that the Townships are afraid that the city is going to take over and the townships will lose jobs and tax dollars.

Can someone fill me in on this issue???

[JR_C]

I am going to try to remain impartial because, as a city resident, I'm biased.

Here is the actual report:
http://www.cityofyoungstownoh.org/up...D%20report.pdf

Youngstown wants to collect a 2% income tax from those employed at businesses in Austintown and Boardman that use Youngstown water. The townships can choose to also collect another .25% income tax. If the townships decide to use some of their share for economic development, Youngstown will match that amount. Youngstown will use its share to lower its income tax from 2.75% to 2.25%, and lower the water surcharge that non-city residents pay for their water service.

I guess, because many people in Boardman and Austintown don't want to form this kind of JEDD, the city may decide to annex, instead.

[Mikieo415]

Sounds like good ol' democrat policy... tax the successful and redistribute the money to the needy... Youngstown.

Sounds like it is time for the townships to become cities.

[CortlandGirl79]

Interesting. Doesn't sound like it's a good idea for the townships. Youngstown does need to lower their city income tax, but there has to be a better way. I wonder why the townships don't tax wages???? Not that i think they should............

Are these townships now using Youngstown City Water????? Why not just charge some kind of surcharge or something to these areas????


I think a JEDD in general is a good idea, but it needs to be something that benefits all parties and most importantly, taxpayers!!! There is definitely too much beauracry when it comes to cities, townships, villages, school districts, counties, police depts., etc. etc. etc.

[JR_C]

Originally Posted by CortlandGirl79

Interesting. Doesn't sound like it's a good idea for the townships. Youngstown does need to lower their city income tax, but there has to be a better way. I wonder why the townships don't tax wages???? Not that i think they should............

I don't know, but I don't think townships can--by law--tax wages. Do you know of any examples where townships in Ohio are taxing wages?

Are these townships now using Youngstown City Water????? Why not just charge some kind of surcharge or something to these areas????

The city currently has a 40% surcharge. With a JEDD, that would be reduced to 20%. I've heard rumors that, instead of annexation, the city may decide to raise the surcharge significantly if a JEDD agreement can't be reached.

I think a JEDD in general is a good idea, but it needs to be something that benefits all parties and most importantly, taxpayers!!!

It's been awhile since I read it, but I think the report estimates that there are 250 undeveloped acres in Boardman, and 500 undeveloped acres in Austintown. Also, with a JEDD agreement, Boardman and Austintown would have access to various types of money currently only available to Youngstown. (because it's a city)

There is definitely too much beauracry when it comes to cities, townships, villages, school districts, counties, police depts., etc. etc. etc.

I agree, and so I'm generally in favor of annexation. Instead of having such an adversarial role with the suburbs, we would suddenly be on the same team, and could work together to make the area better.

[Clevelander17]

Best case scenario for the townships would be to incorporate, but then the people live in those areas will probably end up with more government (and taxes) then they'd like. If they don't incorporate, they're fair game to be annexed by Youngstown (which is probably the worst case scenario for residents in Boardman and Austintown).

[TKramar]

I don't know the situation, I must admit. Are they even in the county as Youngstown?

[JR_C]

Youngstown is in the far NE corner of Mahoning county. Austintown is directly west, and Boardman is directly to the south.

[TKramar]

In general, what benefits are to be had by annexation? County services should serve everyone in the COUNTY...so having self-rule is preferable to bowing to a greater body. It would be like Mayor Daley running...Park Ridge, IL...or Cicero.