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StumbleuponCenterville uses $20,000 in taxpayer money on merger petititons
> Was it a waste of taxpayer's money?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
CENTERVILLE —In an ironic twist, the city of Centerville spent more than $20,000 of taxpayers money to pay professional petition circulators to get the idea of a merger with Washington Twp. on the November ballot — a proposal Centerville said would save the majority of taxpayers money by reducing property taxes.
The city had paid out $17,500 as of Tuesday, Aug. 19, but that doesn't include the $5 per valid signature for around 2,000 signatures the hired college students gathered in the unincorporated township area, Centerville City Manager Greg Horn said. "Most of the (unpaid) volunteers did the city."
Centerville Mayor Mark Kingseed said Monday, Aug. 18, the city turned in petitions to the Montgomery County Board of Elections with between 4,600 and 4,700 signatures of Washington Twp. and Centerville residents. He said, if validated, that should get the merger study commission issue on the November ballot. Kingseed said the city council believes a merger would be more efficient government.
The council also ratified a contract, signed Aug. 6 by Centerville city finance director Mark Schlagheck, acting city manager, with Strategic Public Partners, Inc. which called for the circulators "to assist in obtaining a minimum of 1,800 validated signatures from registered voters of the unincorporated areas of the township on the merger study commission petitions."
The contract pays a contractor "$5 for every signature submitted to the city," plus $12,000 as a general consulting and process management fee, and $5,000 for travel and other related expenses, as well as a bonus payment of $100 "for every 50 valid signatures collected by an individual petition circulator."
According to Betty Smith, deputy director of the Montgomery County Board of Directors, petitions with 4,687 signatures from the city and township were turned in.
Smith said the board of elections has not validated those numbers yet, she said.
According to the Ohio Revised Code the city needs valid signatures from 10 percent of the number of electors in the township and in the city who voted in the last governor's election in November, 2006. The board will certify the signatures by Friday, Aug. 22.
The city reserves the right to withhold money if signatures are deemed invalid, preventing the merger study commission issue from being placed on the ballot "due to fraudulent or illegal actions by contractor or its employees or agents."
Smith said there are many paid political consultants in campaigns such as local options and casino petitions, such as the Casino Now petition drive, but as for other local petition issues, "I have no opinion on that," she said.
Horn called it "money well spent." Studies indicated a merger could possibly save members of a joint community $13 million a year, he said.
Schlagheck said the city did not pay any fees in advance.
Washington Twp. Administrator Jesse Lightle said "the township has paid no money for petition signatures," or for any anti-merger campaign.
The township paid $20,502 for the joint financial University of Toledo study and $57,742 for the Steen financial study of the two entities that the township alone commissioned, said Lightle.
The township trustees passed a resolution earlier this year opposing a merger of the township and city at this time, disputing a larger government would mean a more efficient government.
Washington Twp. residents who do not currently pay a city income tax and others working in the unincorporated portion of the township would pay the city's 1.75 percent tax on earned income under a merger, though the additional tax would be partially offset by reduced property taxes for those living in the township, Kingseed said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2341 or kullmer@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By Tim
August 21, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
I moved to the Township in 1990, partly because they had no income tax. This tax will cost my wife and I in excess of $3000 anually. At best, my property taxes will go down a few hundred. We and many like us will lose with a merger.
By howdy all
August 20, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
No Anna, the property owners (Dille’s) did not initiate the annexation with Centerville, the developer did. You should take your own advice and check up on things before you write.
By Anna's Pal
August 20, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Anna,
In reguards to “Centerville NEVER having a strip-joint”…… Wouldn’t Centerville be gaining one in the merger????
By Anna
August 20, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
Sad how some can make comments and NOT check up on things before they write. The Sugarcreek Township annexation by Centerville: Centerville did NOT initiate this— the property owner did. Comment from George regarding cops stealing candy in the back of the high school: If in fact you have witnessed a crime, share your last name and fill out a police report unless you are making this up then that in itself is probably a crime. Lastly Centerville would NEVER have a strip joint-way to go Township.
By Gina
August 20, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
Centerville residents should be emabrrassed by their Mayor & City Counsil’s actions. I personally would never live in Centerville. So that means a NO vote on my ballot.
By poor poor Centerville
August 20, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
It was very shady what Centerville did up near Feedwire Road. It looks like Centerville is getting very up tight,looking into the future with their debt in which they do not know how to pay for. Maybe Centerville should borrow money from Check Smart or even better, join the regional dispatch center. (hey centerville, that might help you, when this merger issue does not pass!!!!).
By PSR
August 20, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
To those of you who think your property taxes will decrease, don’t be foolish! That is temporary! Your taxes will increase to cover all the debt Centerville will incur by having to pay for all the great things that are now paid for by the county. Centerville will not have the money to cover the townshipd roads. Your property values will also decrease because of all the lousy businesses that they allow being built!
By PSR
August 20, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
I own a small business in WT and live on the same 5 acres as my business. I will greatfully pay my $10,000/ year in property taxes to stay a township rather than have greedy Centerville tax my business, me and all of my employees who work there! A merger might take my property taxes down for a little while but they will not decrease nearly enough to cover all the income taxes myself and my employees would owe.
By James
August 20, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
The fact Centerville had to pay a company to get signatures in the Township truly shows the City of Centerville and their merger commission candidates who are really employees of city council members, friends of council members or past elected city officials where they really stand on this issue; ALONE!
By Township Resident
August 20, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
We need to get a petition to keep it off the ballot. I bet it would more signitures and not cost a dime to do!! The only reason Centerville wants to annex the township is because the city has a larger debt and less equity. The township stands to gain nothing from the merger.
By Bobby
August 20, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
DON’T BELIEVE THE PROPAGANDA!!!
I pay zero in income taxes. I pay far less property taxes in Washingtown Township than my best friend does who lives in Centerville, and, my house is bigger and I have a bigger yard than he does.
Centerville is in the midst of a failing city charter. Poor leadership is at blame. Once all the old people died or moved out of Centerville, the younger people who moved in from out of town, voted in poor leadership, with no experience at running a city. Tough lesson.
By Mike
August 20, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Let’s see… the township has NO income taxes, operates on a SMALLER BUDGET, and has MORE PEOPLE than C’ville.
Only an idiot would go for that merger. Or, a city council member, working for a broke city, trying to figure out how to get out of the red.
The new city council members have really dragged C’ville down. It’s quickly losing the luster it once enjoyed.
By B-Court
August 20, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Are there any Apartments in Washington Township. What about government subsidized housing. Maybe C-vill needs to come up with a way to extract additional revenue from those 2 sources before trying to merge
By Get back your tax dollars
August 20, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
I’m confident Washington Twp. won’t vote for this merger as a whole, so here’s tip for Centerville’s residents.
Instead of Centerville paying canvassers (ie strangers), why doesn’t Centerville buy the votes it needs by paying it’s residents to vote for the merger ballot? That way, Kingseed gets his votes and Centerville’s residents get back a bit of their tax money. It’s a win-win folks. Buying votes is perfectly legal, depending on route of the dollar.
By Hold that thought...
August 20, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
The first comment ‘This use of money was not a waste!’ is not fact. Until the merger occurs, it’s a gamble and nothing more on Cville’s part.
Second, the comment ‘…to reign in property taxes across Washington Twp…’ is misleading. The words ‘reign in’ implies our taxes are out of control. That’s not true for WT. They’re fair now and as long as the merger does not occur will be in the foreseeable future.
Last, I predict failure if the ballot appears. Cville may pass it, but WT will not.
By No Concrete Proof
August 20, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
This merger proposition is based on too many loose assumptions. I live in WT and the burden falls on Cville to convince me this is a good idea. There’s too much reasonable doubt behind both reports that has me convinced with what I know and that is NOT to vote for merger.
Finally, the only passion for this merger comes from Kingseed. If that were not the case, I should have seen Cville’s passioned merger activists at my door. Instead, they have hired hands with no interest in Cville’s fight.
By township resident
August 20, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
All these comments about what city provides township, what township provides city, where services are coming from, township supposedly sucking off the city for free. Excuse me-we pay property taxes or direct bills that cover everything you guys are talking about. (Fire, police service, libraries, garbage, parks, streets/road repair, schools) AND we pay rec center fees just like those from the City. There is NO benefit to a township resident to a merger with the City. Taxes will not be lowered.
By John
August 20, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
The merger will not be beneficial for either C-ville or Wash Twp. The economic study that was conducted has several flaws concerning the assumptions that were made as the basis for the merger, not to mention that there are several areas which have severe conflicts of interest for certain parties.
By George
August 20, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Centerville citizens have to pay for the Police Department, even though they spend most of their time sitting behind the high school stealing candy from the concessions stand. Centerville citizens have to pay for trash pick-up even if they discontinue that service. Centerville charges extra for snow and leaf removal. Centerville charges extra for students to play sports, even though they passed their levy. And the list goes on and on…
By TheTruth
August 20, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
The truth is, Centerville wants grant money from the Federal Government. They are currently too small to receive the money. They have no more room to expand, so they are looking desperately to their neighbors for city revenue.
By Keep Your Hands off out Land
August 20, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Centerville STILL makes their students “Pay to Play” sports, even though they’ve passed their last three tax levies, build a new theater department on the high school and a kindergarten village for the kids. They simply don’t want to give the money back. What a joke. Their greed is palpable. Get lost Sinnerville.
By tahoe
August 20, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
I guess I don’t understand people like “Joe’s” comment about Washington Township sucking up services from Centerville and getting off cheap. What services does Centerville provide Washington Twp? Wash Twp has their own Fire Dept, Parks Dept, Public Works, are serviced by the Sheriff Dept, and residents pay for their own trash pickup. Centerville does not provide any services to Washington Township. Centerville needs to get their budget under control then they wouldn’t need to annex/merge.
By Dan Kennedy
August 20, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
Don’t all the citizens of the county have to subsidize the Wash Twp police services in the form of the Sheriff Dept? They get services that they don’t have to pay for because they are not a city. I think we need fewer political entities and more mergers such as this one or Moraine and Kettering.
By Mae West
August 20, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
I don’t know one single Washington Township resident who supports a merger.
The City of Centerville, if they believe merger is the way to go, should be planning how they can become more efficient to become a more attractive future merger candidate.
Consolidation as a concept may have merit, but currently this is not a mutually beneficial proposition, it’s a power play by the City of Centerville.
Talk to us Township residents when you have something to offer!
By Usedtoliveinatownship
August 20, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
Take it from someone who used to live in a township that was merged with a city. Don’t do it! I used to live in Randolph Twp. and then we merged with Clayton. What a joke it became. Our twp. services went downhill now that we were a “city”. The mayor was a joke, along with his commission. Don’t do it Washington Twp. You’ll regret it. If you want to live in Centerville, move there. Don’t lose your township status.
By Twp. Resident
August 20, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
I was approached two different times by nice young fresh-faced men who looked so disappointed when I didn’t sign their petition. Now I know why! I was $5 to them! I don’t want to pay for Yankee Trace Golf Course, and I don’t want to pay city taxes. I moved out of Centerville for a reason. I don’t want back in. Keep the Township a township!
By Lovethetownship
August 20, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Let’s see - you use your citizens tax dollars to get signatures to take my tax dollars. I’m not seeing fiscal responsibility from Centerville.
By James
August 20, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
If I was a Centerville resident, I would try to vote as often as I could since if the merger fails, Centerville will need to raise its income tax to cover their raising costs. The merger is more about money and power than it is about efficiency and saving tax money. More than once the Mayor has indicated that if the merger is successful, they will have plenty of money to fund the services both communities want. If there is extra money, why not reduce the income tax rate? The Mayor and council ha
By Joe
August 20, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
If the citizens of Washing Twp don’t want to be part of Centerville, then quit sucking up the services they provide. You guys are getting off cheap, and it’s about time you pay your fair share too!!
By Mark
August 20, 2008 3:02 AM | Link to this
ONLY IF THE WHOLE THING BECOMES WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. Washington Township is twice as big as Centerville and we have twice as many people as they do, and yet it costs us half the amount of tax payer money to run our community as it does for Centerville to run theirs. The township doesn’t need a damn thing from Centerville, but Centerville will go broke under their current city council. Greed is one of the seven deadly sins, Mr. Mark Kingseed. Maybe, you should try trimming your budget first.
By Joe
August 20, 2008 2:50 AM | Link to this
The study clearly showed, the township can govern more people for less money. The vast majority in the township don’t want to be a part of Centerville. Keep those greedy city leaders away from our land!!! Where’s Lee Snyder? Help us fight-off the wolves again Lee! They’re after our tax money again!
By Michael
August 20, 2008 1:20 AM | Link to this
Centerville is BROKE and cant support itself because its is GREEDY and we who live in Washington Twp dont want to become part of Centerville…. All Centervilel wants is our money, im perfectly happy with the Sherrif responding to issues the CPD would need to get out of the donut shop to do and take 3 times longer to respond.
In 10 years, when Centerville can BALANCE their budget, ask us again.
By YES to the merger
August 20, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
The only logical approach is to merge. Taxes will go down because duplication of services will be eliminated. Wake up Washington Twp! The merger is a no-brainer. We already share schools, fire depts libraries, parks and rec…why not allow Centerville to fix the broken and undersized township roads and let the Centerville police with local dispatchers keep us safe, instead of sheriff deputies dispatched in downtown Dayton?! Merge! Merge! Merge!
By leave us alone!
August 20, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this
Centerville is GREEDY! They annexed land from Sugarcreek Township that is in a different county! Now Centerville is located in Montgomery and Greene Counties. What’s the purpose of that? Oh yeah, additional tax revenue. Now they want land in Washington Township. If the merger goes thru, our Parks and Greenspace in Washington Township are NOT protected. As a taxpayer in Washington Township, I pay additional taxes to KEEP the parks protected! I don’t want Centerville deciding the fate of our Parks
By mergermania
August 19, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
must make for some great dinner conversations
By Frylock
August 19, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
NO MERGER! I use to live in Wash Twp, but moved to another twp. Howevery, I still work in Wash Twp, and do not wish to pay the city of Centerville 1 flippin cent of my money. They are out of expansion options and now are like the creepy guy in the van trying to get us to go with him by tempting us with candy. GO AWAY!!!!!
By amy
August 19, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
This is all about Centerville gaining property to develope for tax revenue. They have no land left to develope, but Washington Twp does. I remember someone from the City Planners Office talking about this years ago. Wash.Township has their own Fire Dept, is serviced by the Montgomery County Sheriff and has their own Public Works. They do not need Centerville. On the other hand, Centerville has no Fire Dept. They would be screwed if Washington Twp did not renew their Fire contract.
By Freedom Writer
August 19, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
Hey you all are more than welcome to come on over to the great city of Kettering if you dont want to join Centerville. Hell we`d love to include you along with us! I know, but it was just a thought. I say to township residents, fight, fight, fight. Keep your selves plain & simple. I wish a few of the Kettering overseers would of done that.. Well they did bring along the simple part anyways.. Sometimes a simplier way of life just aint so bad, as they say!
By For The Township
August 19, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
If Centerville had to pay to get people to gather signatures, what would they be willing to pay for my vote?
By Outsider
August 19, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
How much money do the citizens of Centerville pay in taxes to provide services to Washington Twp? More than you realize… check that out before you say you don’t want Centerville helping or “gobbling” you up. If it weren’t for Centerville - you wouldn’t enjoy many of the services you do (ie police, fire, rec center, etc).
By you are dreaming
August 19, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
when have any taxes ever gone down,for anything anywhere ever ??????? NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER we will just sit by and be lied too again and again wake up America and take some responsibility
By Township Tim
August 19, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
I’ve lived in the township for the past 24 years and have no desire at all to be a part of the city of Centerville. Why can’t they learn to get along with their neighbors instead of constantly trying to gobble them up. Even if there was a small reduction in overall taxes (and I don’t believe that theory for a minute) it wouldn’t be worth it to be saddled with all their local ordinances and the other negatives that come with being part of warm & cheerful Centerville.
By Tsp. Resident
August 19, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
If I wanted to pay city taxes and deal with the Cent PD instead of the MCSD I would have moved to the city. The township has commisioned the studies and they speak for themselves and the residents. City of Centerville…..GO AWAY!!!!!
By cameron
August 19, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
DDN failed to report one significant fact in this story. These two governments are in bed with each other—-literally: Mark Schlagheck and Jesse Lightle are husband and wife !!!!
By Concerned Taxpayer
August 19, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Townships are about the simplest, most effective government entity in existence. It follows the idea of keeping it simple and generally not meddling in the lives of residents — which results in less bureaucracy, less taxes, and less waste. Why would anyone actually WANT to merge with Centerville? Check out this editorial: (at the bottom) http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/oh/story/opinions/editorial/2008/08/18/ddn081808letters.html Everyone around Centerville better circle the wagons – if they can’t willingly take you over, they will do it with force. Welcome to cold & calculating Centerville – stealing land since 1796.
By sentinel
August 19, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Just one example of this being a bad idea…Clayton. This city absorbed the rest of Randolph township and parts of Clay Twp. Got too big for it’s breeches and is now becoming New Trotwood.
By sentinel
August 19, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Skeptic…I disagree with your idea of eliminating all of the townships in the county. If you took a short drive to the southwest and northwest parts of the county, you would see that there are still a lot of small farm operations here. If they were part of a city, they would go under in this tough economy. I have a problem with these cities gobbling up more property in the name of financial gain and not providing services to compensate.
By Mary
August 19, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Why are the rich getting richer and the poor are us working class (what used to be called middle class). Billions going to other countries and the normal american worker homeless or with a home they are barely making the payments on-not worth what is owed, coz some scam lender loaned $ at such a high interest rate they are not paying the borrowd amount down at all.How is this allowed in this free country.
By innocent bystander
August 19, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
I have to pay 1.75% income tax and then my property taxes will go down? Has anyone ever seen property taxes go down? EVER? Another attempted money grab by the City of Centerville. Bigger government means more efficiency? All this means is Centerville will be swimming in our cash.
By innocent bystander
August 19, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
I have to pay 1.75% income tax and then my property taxes will go down? Has anyone ever seen property taxes go down? EVER? Another attampted money grab by the City of Centerville. Bigger government means more efficiency? All this means is Centerville will be swimming in our cash.
By Skeptic
August 19, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
This is true leadership from Centerville. We have FAR too many jurisdictions that are constantly seeking funds. Consolidation is the way to go. Townships were invented for farmers in the 1800’s, if not earlier. Townships are obsolete for any developed community. We need MORE mergers to reduce the size of local government and promote a viable regional agenda or the Dayton region will continue to fall behind. Put an end to all townships in Montgomery County!
By HT
August 19, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! More political masturbation, that’s all.
By Merge to Save $$
August 19, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
This use of money was not a waste! Getting the merger study question on the ballot is an essential first step. Plus, $20,000 is a very small percentage of the city budget. Seperately, the merger is essential to reign in property taxes across Washington Twp and Centerville. I will be voting yes to merge and encourage anyone else living in the area to do the same!