From Middletown City Council Safety Sub-Committee

Most citizens who follow City government matters are aware that a 5-year Safety Issue is due to expire at the end of 2012. Since this income tax of 1/4% was passed by voters, it has raised approximately $2.5 million each year – even with the slower economy. The Police and Fire departments have a total cost of nearly $20 Million per year, almost 2/3 of the city’s budget. While the Safety Issue income is a small percentage of the total cost, it is a vital part of the annual budget.

There are, however, several options to be considered. Should the issue be on the ballot as a special election in August or wait until November? The issue expires at the end of December. Should it be a renewable issue or made permanent, meaning there would be no repeating campaigns in future years? Should the percent be the same 1/4% or a different amount?

Before City Council takes up the issue of when and what kind of levy to place on the ballot, the Public Safety Sub-Committee (AJ Smith, Chair; Dan Picard and Ann Mort) is asking that Middletown voters help them make a recommendation to Council. Deadlines for some of the options are near.

The Public Safety Sub-Committee asks that as many citizens as possible take an hour of their time to join one of three citizen sessions to hear the options, ask any questions they may have about each option and give feedback Council can use to make the decision. Sessions will be held to one hour with an opportunity to submit a written ranking with comments at each session.

Session one: Wednesday, March 21, Middletown Area Senior Citizens Center at 3907 Central Avenue, Sycamore Room – 11:30 am to 12:30 pm –. Eat lunch at the Senior Center or just drop by to join the session.

Session two: Thursday, March 22, Sonny Hill Community Centre, 800 Lafayette Ave – 6:30-7:30 pm.

Session three: Monday, March 26, Middletown Public Library, 125 S Broad St – 12 noon – 1 pm.

Those who cannot attend may submit their opinion by mail to City Safety Issue, One Donham Plaza, Middletown, OH 45042, or via email using the ranking system below to info@cityofmiddletown.org.

Information is also available to download via the www.cityofmiddletown.org website.

Rank each option: Option number and first, second, third or fourth choice. E.g. Option 1-3rd

Options:

1. August - renewal with sunset of 5 years
a. $80,000 cost to put on ballot
b. Only item on ballot – not lost in Presidential election
c. Do it again in 5 years –cost to put on ballot plus campaign costs
d. Would have a second opportunity on the ballot in November

2. August– permanent
a. $80,000 cost to put on ballot
b. Only item on ballot – not lost in Presidential election
c. Never do it again – no future ballot costs or campaign costs
d. Would have a second opportunity on the ballot in November

3. November - renewal with sunset of 5 years
a. Much lower cost to put on ballot - $5,000 +
b. Might not be considered by voters – many one-time-every-four-years voters
c. Much competition for voter attention in November – lost in shuffle
d. Renew in 5 years – more ballot and campaign costs
e. If it fails cannot put on ballot again until May 2013. (potential loss of personnel)

4. November - permanent
a. Much lower cost to put on ballot - $5,000 +
b. Might not be considered by voters – many one-time-every-four-years voters
c. Much competition for voter attention in November – lost in shuffle
d. Never do it again – no future ballot costs or campaign costs
e. If it fails cannot put on ballot again until May 2013. (potential loss of personnel)

Amount Options: Choose 1 or 2

1. Same 1/4%
2. 1/4% or different amount