Resident raises objection to sales tax increase
Retired nurse calls for more responsibility from individuals; less from government
Chatham Township resident Teresa Snyder is opposed to an increase in the county sales tax. Photo by GLENN WOJCIAK
MEDINA – At least once county resident is vigorously opposed to a proposal currently under consideration by county commissioners to raise the sales tax in Medina County.
Chatham Township resident Teresa Snyder expressed her objections to the proposal at the commissioners’ meeting June 6.
The retired nurse said she objected to being taxed to pay for social programs that support those who are addicted to drugs.
“We all make choices,” Snyder said. “People who make bad choices should be responsible for them and not rely on taxpayers to solve their problems. The middle class is being drained by taxes.”
Commissioners are considering raising the sales tax from 6.75 to 7 percent to help fund a number of capital projects and social services.
County Home residents
The number of residents at the Medina County Home was expected to grow to 48 this week with the addition of four new residents. Home Administrator Joyce Giles said three siblings from Brunswick who were evicted from their homes were to be admitted June 6 through arrangements made by the collaboration of several social services agencies.
Giles said a fourth sibling, currently in a nursing home, is also expected to move into the Home later this year. Another male adult, not related to the Brunswick siblings, was also cleared for residency in the Home.
Bituminous plant mix
County commissioners approved an agreement authorizing four companies to supply the highway department with bituminous plant mixes to repair county roads this year. Suppliers whose bids were accepted are Allied Corporation, Kokosing Materials, Sarver Paving and Medina Materials.
Insurance premium
Commissioners authorized the transfer of $183,000 from various funds to pay the cost of insurance policies covering general liability, property and vehicle policies. The biggest contributors to the insurance premiums were the Sanitary Engineer’s Department ($114,000), the Highway Department ($27,000) the Drug Task Force ($10,000) and the Transportation Department ($8,500).
Equipment auction
Commissioners authorized excess property and equipment to be disposed of or sold through Internet auction. Among the items put up for auction are 42 metal canisters no longer used by the Board of Elections; two tractors, two riding mowers, a band saw, table saw, four weed eaters and a live trap owned by the County Home; four laser printers used by Job and Family Services; a 2006 Chevy Silverado operated by the Sanitary Engineer’s Department; and a lot of 27 Samsung Galaxy tablets no longer needed by the Transit Department.
Lease agreement
Commissioners approved an amended lease agreement with the Ohio State Highway Patrol to use about 800 square feet of office space at the Medina County Central Processing Facility. Terms of the lease call for the Highway Patrol to pay the county a quarterly fee of $2,500 for the use of the space.
Personnel expenses
Commissioners authorized the expenses for several county employees to attend a series of out-of-town meetings and training seminars. Among those expenses were $500 for County Auditor Mike Kovack to attend a three-day conference in Mason, and $475 for the director of Job and Family Services to attend a two-day meeting in Columbus hosted by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio.
Corrections planning board
Commissioners appointed 29 people to serve as board members or alternates on the Community Corrections Planning Board. Appointees include Judges Chris Collier, Joyce Kimbler, Steve McIlvaine and Dale Chase, Sheriff Tom Miller, County Commissioner Adam Friedrick and County Administrator Scott Miller.
Chatham Township resident Teresa Snyder expressed her objections to the proposal at the commissioners’ meeting June 6.
The retired nurse said she objected to being taxed to pay for social programs that support those who are addicted to drugs.
“We all make choices,” Snyder said. “People who make bad choices should be responsible for them and not rely on taxpayers to solve their problems. The middle class is being drained by taxes.”
Commissioners are considering raising the sales tax from 6.75 to 7 percent to help fund a number of capital projects and social services.
County Home residents
The number of residents at the Medina County Home was expected to grow to 48 this week with the addition of four new residents. Home Administrator Joyce Giles said three siblings from Brunswick who were evicted from their homes were to be admitted June 6 through arrangements made by the collaboration of several social services agencies.
Giles said a fourth sibling, currently in a nursing home, is also expected to move into the Home later this year. Another male adult, not related to the Brunswick siblings, was also cleared for residency in the Home.
Bituminous plant mix
County commissioners approved an agreement authorizing four companies to supply the highway department with bituminous plant mixes to repair county roads this year. Suppliers whose bids were accepted are Allied Corporation, Kokosing Materials, Sarver Paving and Medina Materials.
Insurance premium
Commissioners authorized the transfer of $183,000 from various funds to pay the cost of insurance policies covering general liability, property and vehicle policies. The biggest contributors to the insurance premiums were the Sanitary Engineer’s Department ($114,000), the Highway Department ($27,000) the Drug Task Force ($10,000) and the Transportation Department ($8,500).
Equipment auction
Commissioners authorized excess property and equipment to be disposed of or sold through Internet auction. Among the items put up for auction are 42 metal canisters no longer used by the Board of Elections; two tractors, two riding mowers, a band saw, table saw, four weed eaters and a live trap owned by the County Home; four laser printers used by Job and Family Services; a 2006 Chevy Silverado operated by the Sanitary Engineer’s Department; and a lot of 27 Samsung Galaxy tablets no longer needed by the Transit Department.
Lease agreement
Commissioners approved an amended lease agreement with the Ohio State Highway Patrol to use about 800 square feet of office space at the Medina County Central Processing Facility. Terms of the lease call for the Highway Patrol to pay the county a quarterly fee of $2,500 for the use of the space.
Personnel expenses
Commissioners authorized the expenses for several county employees to attend a series of out-of-town meetings and training seminars. Among those expenses were $500 for County Auditor Mike Kovack to attend a three-day conference in Mason, and $475 for the director of Job and Family Services to attend a two-day meeting in Columbus hosted by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio.
Corrections planning board
Commissioners appointed 29 people to serve as board members or alternates on the Community Corrections Planning Board. Appointees include Judges Chris Collier, Joyce Kimbler, Steve McIlvaine and Dale Chase, Sheriff Tom Miller, County Commissioner Adam Friedrick and County Administrator Scott Miller.