"Who in this economy would vote for an 'additional' tax?," asked Mahoning County Commissioner Jim Traficanti.
Apparently not enough voters in Mahoning or Columbiana County. In Mahoning County, 57 percent voted no on the half-percent sales tax renewal and 43 percent yes. In Columbiana County, that separation was even greater, with 63 percent voting "no" and 37 percent voting "yes." Commissioners from both counties have their theories on why the sales tax vote failed, and both cite the ballot language, which read an 'additional' tax, not a renewal.
"It did say additional," said Penny Traina, president of Columbiana County's board of commissioners. "We tried to put it out there in the paper that it was just a renewal. But, 'additional' does say 'additional,' so I can understand the concerns of the citizens there."
That feeling was echoed by Traficanti.
"When somebody reads a ballot that says 'additional,' it'll be very difficult to vote for that," he said.
The commissioners also said tough economic times across the state almost certainly played a role.
"We also understand the economic times we're in, so that may have been a concern as well," Traina said.
In Columbiana County, the sales tax generates about $8 million in revenue, funding dozens of programs like the county's jail program as well as veteran services.
"This is 44 percent of our general budget," said Traina. "So, obviously that's a large part of our operating budget."
Mahoning County's sales tax also plays a huge part, generating four months of revenue. Despite the defeat, both counties look toward the spring for the next chance to pass the tax. Traficanti and Traina said they'll plan to pursue the ballot issue again in May.
Although a renewal failed this time around, the current sales tax for Mahoning County expires next October, and next December for Columbiana County.
