The possibility of state collecting municipal taxes worries some

Clayton City Council hears about matter from state rep.

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By Kevin O’Boyle, Contributing Writer 7:38 PM Wednesday, October 26, 2011

CLAYTON — Several Ohio cities are voicing their concerns regarding the possibility the state of Ohio may take over collection of municipal income taxes.

Saying he has heard this cry, “Loud and clear,” state Rep. Michael Henne (R-Clay Twp.) approached Clayton City Council members about the subject at its Oct. 20 meeting.

Henne said he was working on preparing a house bill that would “simplify” the municipal tax codes, but his bill would not allow for the taxes to be collected by the state of Ohio, thus bypassing local collection mechanisms.

Saying that solving issues that burden employers and employees alike “is a challenge,” Henne did state that when he campaigned for office that the municipal tax codes were the number two issue raised by his constituents behind issues with the workman’s compensation insurance system.

In other business:

• An ordinance to regulate “Wind Energy Conversion Systems,” more commonly known as windmills, was tabled by council.

Councilman Tim Gorman said that the matter “needs more discussion.”

Mayor Joyce Deitering also asked that a 180-day moratorium be placed on permits by citizens to build such systems.

Ordinance O-10-11-10 was to be voted on a second time by Clayton’s council, but council felt more study was needed.

• Finance Director Kevin Schweitzer and his staff were presented with a special award by the state of Ohio Auditor’s office at the Oct. 20 meeting.

Nicole Beckwith from the auditor’s office presented Schweitzer with an Auditor of State’s Award with Distinction.

Stating that less than one percent of the audits conducted by the state agency receive this honor, Beckwith said the honor bestowed on Clayton’s finance department was special indeed.

Reading a letter prepared by Dave Yost, Ohio’s Auditor, Beckwith informed Council that the award recognized “that clean and accurate record keeping is the foundation of good government.”

Schweitzer and his staff received several congratulatory messages from council members.

• Council approved the purchase of a Caterpillar 420E IT backhoe unit from the state of Ohio bid.

The unit, which according to Clayton City Manager David Rowlands was budgeted for in the 2011 city budget, was approved at a cost not to exceed $104,763.

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