Our Hometown
|
|
County considers raising sales tax Wayne County officials are asking state lawmakers to draft legislation that will allow the county to raise sales tax by 1 percent in July 2004. If the state agrees to open the door for the county, then the Wayne County Board of Supervisors can hold a public hearing on the matter and create a local law. Currently, sales tax is collected from consumers at a 7 percent rate - 4 percent is a state tax and 3 percent is a county tax. Neighboring Monroe County already has an 8 percent tax (4 % state; 4 % county). When Supervisors met Tuesday, they passed a resolution to make an official request of the state to pave the way. Of the county's 15 town supervisors, there were two absent - Williamson's Tom Wetherell and Leo Jenkins of Galen - and two voted against the measure - Butler Supervisor Dave Spickerman and Jim Fabino of Lyons. Arcadia Supervisor Joe DeSanto said later that an estimated $6 million dollars could be raised by the tax hike. He also noted that the tax would not increase the burden on local property owners, but tap into out-of-county visitors. According to DeSanto, the county's biggest sales tax revenue comes from gasoline sales, and the increase in sales tax will be borne by all, not just property taxpayers. 'We need to raise money, so we can re-invest in our communities,' said DeSanto. 'This new tax will help us do that, but it will also spread the burden. We are building a foundation, so that we can continue to plan projects like the new nursing home.' (Click here to view county property tax rates.)
Copyright
©
2003 |
      |
