07.22.09
Guest Column
Suburban News Publication
August 4, Columbus voters are being asked to maintain core neighborhood services including police and fire protection by approving Issue 1, the proposed half-percent city income tax increase.

Pensions for seniors and veteran benefits are exempt, and those who earn the least would pay the least amount of tax.

Still, any tax increase is significant in this economy, and voters expect that their City of Columbus tax dollars are being managed wisely.

In that spirit, I appreciate the tough questions posed by Managing Editor Cliff Wiltshire in his June 23 column.

I suspect he speaks for many voters when he expresses his desire to hold those in city government accountable for our management of taxpayer dollars.

So rather than speak in generalities, I will address Mr. Wiltshire’s concerns directly.

* He correctly observed that “Voters won't dig deeper into their own pockets unless there's a strong sense of shared sacrifice.”

City of Columbus workers have made sacrifices, including paying more than ever before for health insurance; forgoing pay raises and accepting mandatory furloughs that equal significant reductions in pay. Many workers have lost their jobs all together, and that is why the city’s general fund today has 30 percent fewer civilian employees than in 2000.

Still, we can do more. That’s why all elected city leaders are committed to implementing our government reform plan estimated to save $100 million to $150 million over the next decade. The plan will, among other things, realign city employees’ compensation and benefits to more accurately reflect those of other Ohio civil servants.

* Mr. Wiltshire also addressed the city law that requires a quarter of every tax dollar to be put into the special income tax fund to finance infrastructure projects, writing that during an economic downturn “it’s reasonable to expect that some projects will get delayed so firefighters can get paid.”

While the City can’t legally pay for firefighter or any employee salaries with money dedicated to street resurfacing or bridge construction, many of these projects have been delayed.

Regardless, it would be a mistake to eliminate or reduce the special income tax fund. This set-aside is the single most important reason why Columbus has the best credit rating among the nation’s big cities, and because we have been fiscally responsible, we have been able to borrow money at a lower interest rate, invest in our infrastructure and save taxpayers millions.

We have also repeatedly promised Columbus voters we will only build infrastructure projects we can afford rather than use our authority to impose a regressive property tax that would hurt middle class home owners, seniors and those on fixed incomes. If we rob the special income tax fund, that is exactly what we would be forced to do. There would be no other way to pay the debt service on city bonds. We would pay more in interest, wasting tax payer dollars and limiting the number projects completed.

* Finally, Mr. Wiltshire questioned the job-growth incentives offered to companies looking to move or expand their Columbus operations.

Columbus must fight for every job.

In 2008, Columbus approved 25 economic development deals that created 6,595 jobs, retained 9,540 jobs, leveraged $308 million from the private sector, and will result in an estimated annual increase in tax revenue of $6.7 within three years.

It is estimated that every $1 spent on economic development in 2008 will net more than $3 in tax revenue and more than $65 in private investment.

Mr. Wiltshire, and others who share his healthy skepticism, are right to demand that their elected officials earn their trust, and that we prove we have done all we could before asking for additional revenue. I urge all voters to take a close look at Columbus city government to determine for themselves whether we have.

I know we have, and that is why I urge all Columbus residents to vote “yes” on Issue 1.

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