Fairborn commencement
Badin graduation
Division I regional track finals
Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2011 > April > 29 > Entry
$10 million cut is a ‘kick in the gut’ Dayton city manager says
Changes proposed to the state budget bill by House Republicans will dig a deeper hole for cities and counties to climb out of, according to local government officials.
Dayton City Manager Tim Riordan on Friday said the Kasich administration budget proposed a $7 million cut in overall state aid to the city but now the House version of the budget would chop out $10 million.
“It’s sort of like someone saying, ‘Here, let me help you lose weight,’ and then cutting off your arm,” Riordan said.
The House version eliminates the estate tax, which usually amounts to about $1 million a year to the city of Dayton, and it takes away a deal to shift more of the pension contributions to the workers and off the city’s ledger.
While the city has lost 15 percent of its population, it has trimmed 37 percent of its staff over the last 10 years, he said. And just because fewer people call Dayton home, doesn’t mean it snows less, fires stop breaking out or crime isn’t committed, Riordan said. “This $10 million — it’s a real kick in the gut.”
It’s not just the urban centers that are feeling the burden of a 50 percent drop in the local government fund, the elimination of the estate tax or the phase out of state reimbursements for the phased-out tangible personal property tax.
Vinton County Auditor Cindy Owings told the House Finance Committee on Friday that her county receives $189,000 in local government fund money each year. Without it, Vinton County would have to pass a property or income tax increase or lay off all 24 county employees and go without police protection.
Owings noted that the county already shares a jail with four other counties, shares a weights and measures inspector with Gallia County, and makes bulk purchases for all Vinton County offices.
Riordan isn’t shy about advocating for more shared services or consolidation. “I would favor a county-wide jurisdiction with all entities in,” he said. While Dayton is ready for serious discussions, Riordan said “nobody is knocking on our door.”
Comments
By smoke&mirrors
May 4, 2011 7:08 AM | Link to this
Dayton doesn’t need the money now.They cut the written test for police. Look at the cost of that. What are they saving in printing and having people evaluate and grade the test scores?
By Perspective
May 3, 2011 10:23 AM | Link to this
So we see Todd,most definitely a left wing unionite,calling for hangings in the street. My Todd, you’re pulling out all the stops calling for murder aren’t you? Once again the left resorts to name calling and violence when things don’t go their way. Todd is a perfect example of this. While I agree with him about NAFTA,GATT,etc.,it’s a shame he wants to lynch people because he doesn’t like them. A National strike? Todd,you go ahead and strike,we don’t need you anyway since you’re most likely a City of Dayton worker.I bet you’re the trash guy that throws my cans in the street after emptying them.Don’t go away mad Todd,just go away.
By Todd
May 2, 2011 3:50 PM | Link to this
7% of the whole nation is union. Their is no way they have the power to destroy the country. Free Trade agrements, speculators, bankers, and corrupt lobiests they are the ones destroying it. Perot said in 1992 get ready for the Giant Sucking Sound. Well Nafta, Gatt, and union busting that keeps facts out of the hands of workers is making that Giant Sucking Sound Loud and clear. Dont Wave your flag when Osama is killed wait till we march some of these wall street people to the public square for some well needed hangings. We are in dire need of a good old national strike to get the message across. Unite America. Call it a Union, Tea Party, Coop, or Church. But Unite. Wake Up You Talk Radio Junkies. After all Talk Radio really is the drive by media. Lord Help us.
By tom
May 2, 2011 12:36 PM | Link to this
Tim is a idiot. The city under his leadership has not idea how to really reduce cost. The major if simply a goof and Tim is right behind him. Quit the whining and make some real cuts like everyone else has.
By Carey Bonica
May 2, 2011 6:43 AM | Link to this
While we do not want our standard of living to decrease, we certainly don’t want more taxes. Especially at this time. No salary increase for Dayton City Manager should be our first goal. We aren’t getting pay increases out here. City of Dayton start cutting that budget, first on Administrative Salaries. Teachers out here in our counties, no increases. We are not going to pass your levies! School officials show their lack of awareness by placing levies on the ballot at this time. City Manager- Wake up!
By Uhhhh
May 1, 2011 10:06 AM | Link to this
Private Sector - the roads ARE built by private companies, not city or state employees! ODOT does not build roads, private companies win bids to build our streets, bridges and highways. *These comment sections are suppose to be for INTELLIGENT discussion - get an education BEFORE making comments or you are just wasting space.
By Uhhhh
May 1, 2011 10:05 AM | Link to this
Private Sector - the roads ARE built by private companies, not city or state employees! ODOT does not build roads, private companies win bids to build our streets, bridges and highways. *These comment sections are suppose to be for INTELLIGENT discussion - get an education BEFORE making comments or you are just wasting space.
By Patty Burton
April 30, 2011 8:48 PM | Link to this
I got a bigger kick in the butt.My son Roger Benjamin Saylor passed away January 27th.2011.Dead for a few days before being found and No Autopsy No Pathologist Blood test.. because Montgomery County Corner office said no. It was tax payers dollars.Date was approximate.Date.Doctor was not there yet signed his death certificate. They do Autopsy’s on Drug addicts.Roger was not a drug addict did not even drink. I have no Ideal how or what happened to my son.They said my son was just there for storage Roger Saylor was just 43 years old.Funeral Home had to send Death Certificate back because of wrong death date need a attorney Patricia Burton. 7244 Gettysburg Webster Rd Bradford Ohio 45308
By Ron
April 30, 2011 1:54 PM | Link to this
For answers to this and other perplexing problems facing the USA today, read Liberty Defined - 50 Essential Issues That Affect Our Freedom. The day of reckoning is growing close. We’ve lived above our means for decades, spending, borrowing, taxing and printing. Soon we will be forced to live below our means. You better be ready to face reality and prepare for rough times.
By Jenny
April 30, 2011 12:39 PM | Link to this
Mr. Riordan failed to mention the street light agreement that local cities negotiated to reduce that cost. Of course, he doesn’t want to admit that Dayton opted out of this cost saving plan.
By bill
April 30, 2011 11:18 AM | Link to this
It’s nice to hear Dayton’s city manager discuss reducing ineffiency for once. His mantra over the past 6 months has been raise the city income tax. The people that actually pay the tax (the ones that work in the city), don’t get to vote at the ballot box. We (the business owners), can however, vote with our feet. If the city income tax is raised to 2.75%, prepare for a mass exodus of business from the Dayton city limits. The city needs to live within its means. Not bleed the workers dry.
By Things are tough all over
April 30, 2011 10:59 AM | Link to this
Cleveland Plain Dealer- April 5,2011 “Ohio owes the federal government $193 million in interest as a result of $2.5 billion worth of borrowing to help Ohio pay it’s jobless claims….Kasich haad nothing to due with the original loans-2.5billion worth- that are coming due. Ohio borrowed money from the federal government over the last several years when claims for unemployment compensation exceeded the states reserves.” Note to local government: Prepare to tighten your belt another notch.
By Private Sector
April 30, 2011 8:15 AM | Link to this
Why do Unions think balancing the budget takes taxing the rest of us into poverty? Easy solution. Fire all public employees and contract private companies to do the jobs. You like you road crew job? Apply at the private company or stay jobless. Cities and town across the U.S. using this tactic are cutting taxes, balancing budgets, and revenue is just fine.
By Jack
April 30, 2011 8:14 AM | Link to this
You polititions in Dayton wanted him, now you got him?
By cheech
April 29, 2011 9:34 PM | Link to this
Cities won’t raise your taxes as long as the State sends them money but of course that money comes from you also. This is what I like, everything coming back to the cities so the people can determine what they want to pay for. Remember this when signing the petitions for a vote on SB 5. There will be cuts one way or the other. We decide or they decide.
By Reid Rooney
April 29, 2011 8:48 PM | Link to this
How is it that public officials think they should place levies on the ballot to increase our taxes just because the state cuts their budget? I don’t care how much the city loses. Cut more people out of the county budget! Our property and money have already had taxes paid on them! I don’t think the government should be so greedy as to tax people on their property, earned, taxed and taxed again! Shrink down the local govt. as well as the state. Then the state and fed can re-evaluate priorities. No Obamacare! I do think we should care for our elderly and our military folks. We should get DNA of the illegals, pictures, jail them a week and then take them back over the border. No govt. benefits for illegals. Government cannot be the answer to every detail in our lives. I do like the thought of helping and forgiving each other.
By Joe
April 29, 2011 8:05 PM | Link to this
Interesting how state government keeps what money it needs for itself, shortchanges local government and then leaves the unpopular task of tax increases to local government. The state politicians don’t have to worry about the implications of having passed a tax increase when it comes time to be re-elected. They just let the locals take the heat. Oh, yeah. There’s no way in hell I’m EVER going to be ready for county-wide government. ESPECIALLY with the City of Dayton. Period. Gary Leitzell as my mayor? You’ve got to be kidding! I’m sure Dayton IS ready for serious discussions. They want all the good that comes with having the suburbs under their umbrella. Dayton has nothing to lose in county-wide government. But they also have NOTHING TO OFFER! Forget county-wide government.
By Beautiful Ohio
April 29, 2011 7:50 PM | Link to this
Does anyone now believe that the unions can be allowed to continue spending taxpayers money for their own selfish wants.This entire state is seriously broke and yet the unions will not let up on their spending agenda.they must be stopped before no one will have a life in this state.