Income tax and park levies set before voters

Current 1 percent income tax would increase to 1.25 percent for infrastructure repairs and improvements

Middlefield income tax and Russell Park levies appear on the 2018 ballot for voters to decide.

Middlefield Village voters will decide in the Nov. 6 election whether to approve an increase in the village income tax.

The village is seeking to increase its 1 percent income tax by 0.25 percent to raise money to repair, maintain and improve its infrastructure.

An Income Tax FAQ Sheet on the village website points out how deteriorating infrastructure is affecting the community’s quality of life.

“Our public sewer system is continually aging and our water lines continue to break,” the website states. “Our roads are in bad condition. The village has not been on the ballot for roads or infrastructure in over 35 years.”

The income tax increase would generate more than $650,000 a year in additional revenue which would fund more than $10 million in infrastructure improvements.

If the issue is approved, funds would be used to maintain the village water system; replace water lines to improve service reliability; repair roads, sidewalks

The income tax increase would generate more than $650,000 a year in additional revenue which would fund more than $10 million in infrastructure improvements.

and sewer lines; and convert public streets lights in the community to LEDstyle lighting.

“Residents will be able to see the results of these improvements,” village Mayor Ben Garlich said.

On the other hand, if voters reject the income-tax increase, it will not be feasible to fix or maintain the infrastructure, including village roads; water and sewer lines will continue to break; and sidewalk repairs will not be feasible, the village website states.

The proposed incometax increase would apply only to earned income, and would not affect Social Security, pension or unemployment benefits, Garlich said.

A person earning $50,000 a year would pay $125 more annually in village income tax if the ballot issue is approved. That same person now pays $500 a year in village income tax at a rate of 1 percent.

Garlich said the village has dealt with financial challenges in recent years posed by cuts in state funding as well as an annual $900,000 debt payment on construction of a wastewater treatment plant mandated by the state.

At the same time, the village has sought to improve its financial condition by contracting for emergency dispatch services with the county, which saved about $250,000 a year; and cut another $150,000 annually by consolidating several administrative positions.

Garlich noted people from other communities who work in Middlefield Village also would be affected by the income-tax increase, which is fair since they benefit from using the village infrastructure as well.

There are 1,861 registered voters in Middlefield voters who are eligible to decide the income-tax issue, according to the Geauga County Elections Board.