Do Tough Times Mean More Taxes?

    “I need to gauge your willingness to support some form of revenue enhancements….” So read the email from Mayor Cervenik to City Council on Dec 1st. We’re facing some tough times folks. But most of you already knew that because you’re facing tough times in your own lives. You’ve been facing them for months and hopefully are dealing with it.

    To continue as is, Euclid needs about $3million. The City’s income from wages, property and a few other sources is down across the board. This should not come as a surprise. The Administration to its credit, realized significant savings this year in its negotiations with the unions. Another $350,000 or so was saved when we switched Trash Collection services.

    On the negative side, I think Council should have said ‘No’ when the Administration came back to us for $1million more in expenditures after we approved the budget last spring. The deficit we are facing in 2010 would not have been as severe had Council done that. Those amendments passed 8 to 1 (I voted No). But it is what it is.

    Council and the Administration supported the passage of Issue 105 for the schools which will cost homeowners close to $100 more in property taxes.
    Council approved an increase of $2/mcf each year for 5 years in Nov of ’08 to rebuild 17 combined storm and sanitary sewer lines. The Benza tax for waterline improvements went up another $1/mcf this year as well. And it won’t surprise me if the Wastewater Plant needs an increase to cover its operations. In 2010 your sewer charges on an mcf basis will be at least $23.68 operations + $9 Benza + $7.88 Peterson = $40.56 + Water + $7 flat service charge.
    Bottom line – between Federal, State, County, Local, Schools, Phone, Gas, Sales and all the other taxes you did or didn’t vote for – you’re taxed out. But City Services need more money… a lot more money. The Mayor has proffered a Garbage Tax or a Street Light tax or a Safety Levy or an Operating Levy. Another option per the Mayor is to, “revisit the elimination of the 920 charter provision, coupled with a reduction in efffective millage. This would benefit all funds, provide for future growth, as most other communities experience, and it would relieve, to an extent, the strong dependence on income taxes that are so volatile in these difficult times, and would also help structurally balance our revenue streams.” Like the Schools, the City also has a property tax cap. Unlike the Schools, the cap is part of our charter and can be changed. Eliminating the cap would require a vote of the people.
    Before we ask and/or require you to pay out more money, we must look at eliminating waste and duplication of services.
    Some of my ideas include:
- The jail loses over $1million/year. Close it except for holding cells.
- We spend $800-900,000/year on engineering fees, but have not gone out for bids on firms for at least 3 years. We need to negotiate lower fees paid out to our engineering firm CT Consultants or find a new firm
- We have a part-time Human Resources person that costs the City over $50,000. It's a new position after doing 4 years without. Is it necessary?
- Safety Forces continue to receive year end bonuses based on years served (longevity). That benefit must be re-visited
    Additional sources of revenue for the immediate future could include:
- The Mini-Station on E.260 could be rented out to an ambulance service, cutting down on EFD runs while bringing new revenue into the City
- Encourage the Judge to fine lawbreakers closer to or at the maximum levels allowed
- Enforce the current laws in place regarding overnight/illegal parking
- Put Orr Ice Arena under a private management firm. Shore has seen significant revenue increases and cost savings by hiring the Coral Company. The Golf Course is about to undergo the same changes.
- Halt acceptance of HUD funds and instead provide incentives to middle/upper incomers to move into Euclid
    Long term sources of revenue can include:
- Aggressively pursue monies to implement the Lakefront Plan as soon as possible.
- Work closely with Euclid Hospital, University Hospitals, Hospice and the City of Cleveland to re-develop the E.185/Lakeshore corridor
    Those are some of my ideas. I’d love to hear yours. In the meantime, I will oppose new taxes and if possible, higher taxes.

Holiday Happenings

Sat Dec 12 at the Euclid Historical Museum, 21129 North Street. It's a Holiday Open House from 1-4pm. Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Sun Dec 13 the Euclid Orchestra performs its Christmas Concert at 3pm in the Shore Auditorium. The Orchestra's best attended concert of the season! Tickets can be purchased in advance at Shore or from an Orchestra member. PreSale Tickets $8; $6/Srs and Students. At the Door $9; $7/Srs and Students. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult.

Euclid Toy Drive is accepting new UNWRAPPED toys at Shore's office 9am-4pm thru Dec 18th.

New and Gently used Bikes for Kids: Drop bikes off at Rick Case Honda, 915 East 200th Street. If needed, bikes will be refurbished and then given to Euclid children for Christmas. Collection will continue until December 15th

Got Dogs?

    Dogs are good for the heart. Exercising them exercises you. They open doors for conversation with people we normally wouldn’t talk to. They are family, companion and watchdog all in one. At least they can and should be. Our ward has 250 households with 468 registered dogs. Based on information I have, it is reasonable to assume there are another 85 households out there with about 125 dogs who have not registered their pets. That’s a lot of dogs, folks.

    Today’s Post is directed to Dog Owners and non-Dog Owners alike. It addresses Rights and Responsibilities. Most dog owners are responsible, but they may not know the law. Some dog owners are irresponsible and they need the law enforced. Most non-dog owners are patient, but would appreciate assistance with nuisance dogs. To help everyone out, I want to go over the rules and corresponding penalties regarding dogs in Euclid as outlined in Section 505 of our Code, Euclid Code of Ordinances:

    1) Euclid has a limit of 4 Pets per household. That includes combinations of dogs, cats, birds, whatever. Only one pet owner per household is allowed. PENALTY: Removal of additional pet(s) as well as not more than 30 days or $500.
    2) Every dog must be registered with the County Auditor between Dec 1 and Jan 31. REGISTRATION is $20. Dogs can be registered thru the County Auditor on-line or in person at the 760 E.185 office, or at Euclid Pet Pals Euclid Pet Pals. A 75 cent surcharge goes to Pet Pals. PENALTY: Impounding the animal. If the dog is not redeemed (via proof of registration), it may be sold and if it cannot be sold, it may be destroyed. Why register? Because it's the law. And, a license is a lost dog's ticket home! When your dog has its license attached to its collar, its assigned license number is all that is necessary for the County Office to identify the dog's owner. Call the County during working hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at 216-443-7028 for assistance. The County also shares its computer database with all dog wardens and the Animal Protective League. Where do the proceeds go from the dog license program? The majority of license proceeds go to the Cuyahoga County Kennel. The remaining funds are used to run the dog license department.
    3) Dogs are NOT allowed to run loose except in their own yards. PENALTY: Not more than 60 days or $500
    4) Owners ARE responsible to clean up after their dogs. That includes their own yard when the abundance of poop poses a health hazard. PENALTY: Not more than 90 days or $750
    5) Owners MAY NOT permit their dog(s) to make excessive noise. Barking is considered excessive noise when it is so loud and continuous or untimely so as to disturb the sleep or peace of a neighbor. PENALTY: Not more than 60 days or $500
    6) Pit Bulls have been designated a ‘Dangerous Breed’ by the City and so have their own set of rules.
    7) Owners MUST provide food, water, protection from the weather, opportunity for exercise, and regular vet care. PENALTY: Not more than 180 days $1,000.
    If you’re an owner, please be responsible for your dog. If you’re a non-dog owner, you need to know your rights.

Non-existant Ohio's 99th District Gets Stimulus $

   Ohio's 99th District received $660,000 of stimulus dollars without creating or saving any jobs. That could be because there is no 99th District in Ohio.

    According to Lynn Walsh of Ohio Watchdog, "Over $5 billion of stimulus money has seen its way into the State of Ohio thanks to the federal stimulus. The main goal of the money is to create or retain jobs and stimulate the economy in Ohio. According to www.recovery.gov more than 17,000 jobs have been created or retained, 11 of which are in Congressional Districts that do not exist: 21st, 99th, 69th, 87th, 85th, 49th, 20th, 54th, 56th, and 00. These 11 jobs have cost more than $5.3 million; more than 80% of the jobs created or retained so far are located in the Central Ohio area." To read more about this story and more controversial stimulus funding, please visit http://ohio.watchdog.org/

   My question is, If the district doesn't exist, who got the money??!!

Come One, Come All and Give Us Your Feedback on the Lakefront Plan!

    It's time to get your input now. My recent post on the Lakefront Plan gave you the general idea of the plan. JJR and the City now want your feedback. Two meetings are scheduled at the middle schools.

    Tuesday, Nov 17, 7pm at Euclid Central and then Wednesday, Nov 18, 7pm at Forest Park.
    Planning & Zoning is hosting the hearings because ultimately, a lakefront plan must be approved by Council and added to the Master Plan of the '90s. Before Council can do that though, P&Z must approve it and send it back to Council.
    The plan is now ready for posting, but it's so large that the City is having difficulty putting it on the website, http://www.cityofeuclid.com/ . Keep trying. The more you know, the better your questions, the better your input.

Thank a Vet Tomorrow

    Tomorrow morning at 11am in City Hall's Council Chambers, there will be a half hour ceremony honoring our veterans. If you've never attended, please try. It's a moving time. Afterward, the American Legion on Arbor Ave invites the public to join them.

    But if you can't attend, please remember to thank a vet. It's on account of their willingness to fight and die for us, that we have the liberty we have....

Freedom is not Free

by Ashley Persyn

There is a price we pay for freedom

For it is not truly free

But rather paid for by the contributions of veterans

To buy our liberty

As their blood drains from their body and runs like a river through the grass

Over the years it's forgotten, war is placed in our past

I don't think we all realize the importance veterans play

as they voluntarily serve America each and every day

We should honor the veterans for they act like a shield

Protecting us from danger, keeping America healed.

So if you would take a second to commemorate

You will instantly see

We owe veterans our gratitude

For they are the reason we are free

Chalk One Up For The Chamber!

    Last night (11/8) the Business and Commercial Committee met to discuss the Administration’s request to add a new tax to our City – an Admissions Tax. Expostions Inc (the Great Lakes Expo Center) actually gave them the idea. Every person who pays an admission charge to any place would pay the tax.

    The Expo Center would pay 5%. Lakeshore Theater would pay 3% and everybody else 5%.

    Councilman O’Neill chaired the meeting. Other committee members present were myself and Councilmen Wojtilla and VanHo. Council President Gail and Councilwoman Scarniench were present as well. The Chamber’s president Dave Carlson was in attendance.
    Now if you don’t know by now – I hate taxes. I hate tax increases and I especially hate NEW taxes. So I came to the meeting prepared to fight this new tax on the grounds that:
    a) Euclid businesses are already paying way more taxes than other communities in Cuyahoga, in Ohio and in the U.S. They pay a CAT tax on gross revenues (not net) for the privilege of doing business in Ohio. They collect from their patrons a higher sales tax than Lake county (which encourages people to shop elsewhere). They pay a 2.85% tax on their profits (Parma Hts is actually higher at 3%).
    b) Businesses will pass this tax on to their patrons. That means they will raise their prices and people will go elsewhere.
    c) The new tax is far reaching – Bars with live entertainment, the Sports Plant, the newly opened Roller Rink, the production companies coming to Shore Centre, Curves and Miller’s Gym, Lakeshore Theater and probably others I can’t even think of – will have to charge their dwindling patrons more.
    This new tax was all about fixing the budget in the short term with no thought to its consequences in the long term. I made my case with no guarantee that my colleagues would hear or agree. And that’s when Mr. Carlson stood up (literally and figuratively) for Euclid business. He warned the Administration and the Committee that while they would see a benefit in the short term, in the long term, the City would lose business. His words had an impact. Law Director Frey offered to pull all language referencing other businesses and only charge an Admissions Tax of 5% on the Expo Center. The Committee seemed okay with that.
    So come Monday (11/16) Council will vote to approve/disapprove a 5% Admissions Tax on all Expo Shows. Chalk one up for the Chamber!