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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2009 > July > 30 > Entry
Editorial: Xenia levy renewal crucial
Xenia is facing a financial squeeze. If, on Tuesday, voters don’t renew a 3.5-mill levy, a bad situation will become dire. A “yes” vote would not raise taxes.
With the economy’s steep decline during the past year, revenue in Xenia is way off. Unemployment is higher than the state average, and income tax collections are down more than 6 percent. State aid is expected to decline by as much as 15 percent. Though spending for the coming year has been reduced by 1 percent over last year, a deficit looms.
Unless major cuts are made, city officials estimate the deficit will be $1.45 million by next June even if the renewal — which brings in about $410,000 a year — passes. If it fails, the deficit could approach $2 million for a city with a $17 million annual budget.
Renewing this levy is the first step in Xenia’s plan to stabilize its financial ship. Other proposals being considered: eliminating six police officers, six firefighters and taking out of service periodically the fire station that serves the western half of the city.
City Manager Jim Percival hopes it won’t come to that. He said he is meeting with labor unions and employee groups seeking pay cuts or other concessions that would avoid layoffs and help maintain services.
Passing this levy won’t keep those cuts from happening. Moreover, Mr. Percival expects a levy for new money will be on the ballot next spring.
Renewing the levy will make sure Xenia’s finances don’t collapse. The harder choices — deeper cuts, future tax increases — are yet to come. This one is easy.
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By Russian
March 22, 2010 8:42 PM | Link to this
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