Brian Massie, Citizen Journalist, average citizen
“Wherefore, security being the true design and end of government, it unanswerably follows that whatever form thereof appears most likely to ensure it to us, with the least expense and greatest benefit, is preferable to all others.”…Thomas Paine….Common Sense…January 1776
The Lake County Commissioners will be deciding on a one-half percent increase in the Ohio Sales Tax on January 12, 2023. Commissioner Rich Regovich asked, in the last meeting for 2022, that the resolution proposed by the Lake County Prosecutor be tabled. In our opinion, Commissioner Regovich is in a difficult position because if the first major decision he makes as a Republican Commissioner is to vote for a significant tax increase, he may only have a two year stint as Commissioner.
We have a novel, although seemingly, doable solution to the problem. We sent the Commissioners the following letter via email.
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Commissioners,
We have a possible solution for the funding of the proposed new Public Safety Center.
For the record, we concede a new jail is needed for several reasons. However, we are adamantly opposed to raising any additional taxes, either sales or property taxes, because of the money that has already been extracted from the taxpayers by the various political subdivisions. We also are dismayed by the tactic used by the Prosecutor in crafting a resolution that avoids the need to ask the voters of the County to agree to the new sales tax.
It is a public record that Lake County has been awarded a $306 million settlement in the opioid litigation. We realize that it is in the standard appeals process. However, there is a significant “accounts receivable” that will eventually inure to the benefit of the Lake County government.
If that “accounts receivable” cannot be used as collateral for conventional government financing, can it be used to entice the political subdivisions to come to the aid of the citizens of Lake County?
Is it permissible for the political subdivisions to lend the money to the County for the express purposes of building the new jail? The $306 million could be used as collateral with the promise to repay the political subdivisions, with interest, upon receipt of the settlement.
It seems like a win -win for all parties. The Sheriff gets the new jail he needs, the political subdivisions get to keep their financial reserves, Lake County businesses can stay competitive without the higher sales tax, and the citizens do not have to bear the brunt of excessive taxation.
Thank you for considering our idea to get the new Public Safety Center built without the need to increase the sales tax.
Brian Massie
Lobbyists for Citizens
a 501 (c) (4) Non-Profit
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Categories: Lake County Politics, LC Public Safety Ctr., Uncategorized