Business Leaders Opposing Sales Tax Increase

8/2/17 – 5:11 A.M.

Business leaders aren’t signing off on a proposed sales tax increase in Hancock County. The Courier reports Findlay-Hancock County Alliance president John Haywood read a letter signed by 13 city and business officials during a meeting about the tax proposal Tuesday. The letter said, “The business community cannot support the commissioners’ proposed increase to a three-quarter percent sales tax for the next 20 years, due to a lack of clarity in the information provided to justify the increase.”

Haywood, University of Findlay president Dr. Katherine Fell, and Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik all signed the letter. Representatives from Marathon Petroleum, Ohio Logistics, Blanchard Valley Health System, National Lime & Stone, and Cooper Tire among others also signed.

Hancock County voters approved a half-percent increase in the sales tax in 2009. It expires at the end of next year. The commissioners have proposed replacing the tax with a three-quarter percent sales tax. That would amount to a quarter-percent increase.

The commissioners say the extra quarter-percent would help expand the jail and offset the cost of a new probate/juvenile court. Commissioner Mark Gazarek says the change in the sales tax would also help the county deal with reductions in money from the state.

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