By CECILIA FOX
Record Herald Writer
Courtesy of the Record Herald; Printed 8.12.12
TIPP CITY – City council voted Monday night to join 23 other cities in the greater Dayton area in the push for income tax collection uniformity.
Due to opposition to the state’s proposed centralized income tax collection plan, the state has shifted its focus to uniform income tax collection. In an effort to take the lead in in this matter, the Greater Dayton Mayors and Managers Association analyzed local tax laws and drafted a proposal to eliminate inconsistencies.
“The idea here is that the state is going to adopt some sort of legislation creating uniformity across the state and we’d rather be the ones driving the direction that uniformity is going to go than have the State telling us what it’s going to be,” City Manager Jon Crusey said.
This proposal has been adopted by 23 cities locally and others statewide, including Troy, Vandalia, Huber Heights, and Springfield. It aims to streamline local tax laws related to income tax collections, enforcement, and penalties; making it easier for companies that do business in more than one municipality to file taxes.
A key part of the proposal is that member communities must all adopt the same due dates; currently, there is no uniformity regarding due dates. For simplicity’s sake, all communities must make municipal return filings consistent with federal due dates. This is expected to have minimal impact on Tipp City and other communities.
Though the resolution adopting the proposal was passed, three council members, Joe Gibson, Bryan Budding and Katelyn Black, all voted against it.
“If we’re all uniform it will just make it that much easier, down the road, for the state to centralize collection,” Budding said.
During a discussion at the July 16 pre-council meeting study session, Gibson also voiced his concern about the proposal, saying he believes in sovereignty. Gibson said he believes the city of Tipp City should make its own decisions regarding local taxes.
Crusey countered that if the city goes along with the uniform tax plan, it would likely be better than what the state would design, and at least that way the city would have some input.
“The problem is, if we do nothing and the state takes the lead on this, we’ll be at the state’s mercy,” Crusey said.
Engineering contracts
The council also approved several resolutions awarding engineering contracts for five upcoming construction projects. One contract, at a cost of $36,510, was awarded to EMH&T of Columbus for the development of a water master plan.
The master plan will identify undersized and underperforming water lines. Another contract, with Arcadis US, Inc. for $59,000, is for the development of a sanitary sewer master plan. Arcadis is currently working with the Tri-Cities North Regional Wastewater Authority as part of the design team for the Main Street lift station improvements.
Council also approved the contract with Korda/Nemeth Engineering at a cost of $72,850 for the design of several water and sewer line replacement projects. These projects include the Walnut, Warner, and Bowman/Plum, water line replacement projects, as well as the Judith, Michael, and Earl water and sewer line replacements.
Two contracts were awarded to Choice One Engineering, one for the design of the Dow Street reconstruction project for $45,230, and another for the Westedge Avenue waterline and sanitary sewer replacement project for $32,880. Both projects are scheduled for construction next year.
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