Thursday, July 01, 1999
Two tax relief proposals before city
Heimlich, Qualls plans put on hold
BY HOWARD WILKINSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Councilman Phil Heimlich's plan for a modest property tax rollback was trumped Wednesday by an alternative plan offered by Mayor Roxanne Qualls, which she claimed would offer more tax relief.
But, by the end of council's six-hour session Wednesday afternoon, it was clear that neither plan will be in place soon.
Mr. Heimlich failed to get a council majority to back his plan to roll back the current 6.1 mills it collects for operating purposes to 5.68 mills.
With an expected increase in Cincinnati property values of about 7 percent next year, Mr. Heimlich said the 5.68 mills would bring in the same amount of money in 2000 that the 6.1 mills will in 1999.
“Without a rollback, Cincinnati homeowners will be paying more taxes,” Mr. Heimlich said. “I'm not cutting taxes; I'm keeping them at the same level.”
Mr. Heimlich's fellow Republicans on council, Charlie Winburn and Jeanette Cissell, supported the idea, along with Democrat Todd Portune.
But Mr. Heimlich could not find a fifth vote to pass his plan — particularly after Ms. Qualls offered her own plan for property tax credits — an idea that gained support from Democrats Portune, Minette Cooper and Paul Booth.
The Heimlich plan would of fer the owner of a $90,000 home in Cincinnati a $14 savings over what he or she would pay at the 6.1 millage. But Ms. Qualls argued that her tax credit plan would offer more.
Under the Qualls plan, in any year the city takes in $3 million or more in revenue than it had expected, half of that money would be returned to property owners in the form of tax credits.
This year, the city is expected to carry over $18 million. Under the Qualls plan, homeowners would get a $95 tax credit.
“If we are going to do something for the taxpayers, it ought to be real and significant,” Ms. Qualls said.
City Manager John Shirey told council it was premature to roll back property taxes. The tax budget the city submits in July is “meaningless,” Mr. Shirey said.
“You aren't required to set the tax millage until October,” Mr. Shirey said.
Council voted 5-4 to submit to County Auditor Dusty Rhodes a tentative tax budget based on the 6.1 millage.
Both the Qualls and Heimlich plans were referred to council's finance committee.
Council will have an opportunity in October to roll back the tax millage.
Mr. Heimlich was angered by council's action Wednesday.
“This council just voted to raise taxes,” Mr. Heimlich said.
That remark prompted an angry response from Ms. Qualls, who told Mr. Heimlich the claim that council was raising taxes is “patently untrue and you know it.”
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