Thursday, August 19, 1999
Timing tangles city tax vote
Election will arrive before property figures
BY ANNE MICHAUD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Cincinnati city administration has suggested council wait until November to decide on a property tax cut, a move that would rob the council race of one of its hottest issues.
A memo from City Manager John Shirey to council members said property value estimates will not be available from the county auditor until the end of November.
“We ... want to emphasize that it is important to obtain the most accurate information possible before making final decisions on the property tax,” Mr. Shirey wrote in a memo dated Aug. 9.
Advocates of a tax cut called for an October vote even if the final figures are not calculated.
“The leaders of the anti-tax movement in this city want to hold the feet of council members to the fire,” said Councilman Phil Heimlich, author of a tax cut proposal.
His proposal would eliminate the budget effect of an estimated 7 percent increase in property values. In 1999, city property taxes should equal $28 million. With the estimated increase, the tax would bring in $30.2 million in 2000.
If Mr. Heimlich's proposal is adopted, it would reduce taxes on a $90,000 home by $14.
A competing proposal by Mayor Roxanne Qualls would limit the tax reduction to owner-occupied homes. Both ideas were tabled by council in June for further discussion in the Finance Committee.
Hamilton County Auditor Dusty Rhodes said he always delivers final tax figures in late November. The timing is under debate this year, he said, because it is the first year council has talked about a tax cut.
Several council candidates have come out in favor of the Heimlich proposal, including Democrat Charlie Luken and Republicans Ken Anderson, Pat DeWine and Diane Goldsmith.
“I see no reason to wait,” Mr. Luken said. “All this delay and confusion I worry is going to take focus away from the issue of a simple, small property tax rollback, which is well-deserved and the city can easily afford.”
Ms. Goldsmith said council should work with a best estimate in October. “Let's get it over with; let's send the message now,” she said.
Mr. Shirey could not be reached. A spokeswoman for his office, Gina Ruffin Moore, said the memo does not specifically call for a delay of the vote.
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