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A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE STATE OF OHIO GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED 2017-2018 TAX BUDGET, WHICH PROPOSES CENTRALIZED COLLECTION OF NET PROFIT TAX RETURNS AND OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX WHICH WILL CAUSE A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF REVENUE NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS OF OHIO MUNICIPALITIES AND THE DECLARATION OF AN EMERGENCY
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WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have been advised of a proposal by Ohio Governor Kasich and his administration to institute a state-operated program for the centralized collection of Ohio Municipal Income Tax; and,
WHEREAS, the proposal for a state takeover of collection of the municipal income taxes of municipal corporations such as the City of Groveport is a clear attack on the home rule powers granted to municipal corporations by the Ohio Constitution; and,
WHEREAS, this proposed language also includes a provision that would eliminate portion of the sales factor, known as "throwback", substantially reducing reportable tax revenue to municipalities with warehouses, distribution centers and business providing online sales; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Groveport strenuously objects to this latest attack on municipal home rule under consideration by the State of Ohio and urges all municipal corporations to make it clear to the Governor and General Assembly that this proposed usurpation of constitutionally-granted local municipal power shall not take place without a vigorous legal challenge by affected municipal corporations; and,
WHEREAS, the recent reduction in the Local Government Fund, elimination of Estate Tax, and accelerated phase-out of promised reimbursement for loss of revenues due to the repeal of the Tangible Personal Property Tax have all resulted in a loss of revenue; and,
WHEREAS, municipalities can and will provide the personal service and assistance to its taxpayers in the preparation and filing of the tax reports and returns; and,
WHEREAS, only municipalities can ensure the prompt and proper auditing of local tax returns to ensure all applicable deductions and declarations are reported, thus also ensuring that all taxpayers pay their fair share without causing higher costs of compliance for all, and must be able to do so without burdensome and costly restrictions included in the Governor's budget proposal created with the only purpose of restricting municipalities from correcting / auditing business return filings or making assessments; and,
WHEREAS, provisions in this proposal will hamper municipalities' ability to audit and correct municipal income tax business returns, to equitably enforce the municipal income tax laws and has been crafted as a vehicle to control the administrative process of municipal income tax to the benefit of specific taxpayers interest; and,
WHEREAS, the municipal income tax is the single largest revenue source, which provides essential municipal services, promoting a positive quality of life that residents and businesses alike rely upon, and any forced reduction in this revenue will have a negative impact on residents and businesses, creating an environment detrimental to retaining and attracting business in Ohio.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GROVEPORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO, A MAJORITY OF ITS MEMBERS CONCURRING:
Section 1: That the Ohio General Assembly should request the immediate removal of all language pertaining to municipal income tax collection and administration, and should promote upcoming changes to the Ohio Business Gateway as a solution for businesses to file municipal income tax returns in a more simple and efficient manner, with the Ohio Business Gateway continuing to act only as a portal to remit payments and filing information directly to municipalities, and not to the Ohio Department of Taxation for processing.
Section 2: That this Resolution is hereby deemed an emergency measure necessary for the preservation of the health, safety, and general welfare of the community to the extent that this Resolution must be passed for the reason that the City must maintain revenue levels without threat of assault via legislation proposed by the Ohio General Assembly; WHEREFORE, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect after passage by Council and signature of the Mayor.
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Lance Westcamp, Mayor
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Ruthanne Sargus Ross, Clerk of Council
Approved as to form:
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Kevin Shannon, Law Director