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Conveyance Fee passes
unanimously
By Bob Robinson
Photos by Al Bliss &
Bob Robinson
Resolution R-131-11, levying additional county Real Property Transfer
Tax at .10 cents per $100, passes. Resolution R-132-11, levying
additional county Mfg. Home Transfer Tax at .10 cents per $100, passes.
Both passed unanimously with all three commissioners voting. The
manufacturing home resolution was for mobile homes that may be located
on rented properties in parks.
Commissioners said they were hopeful that the additional tax,
originally referred to as a Conveyance Fee, would bring the county
participation to the $150,000 level they had committed to, but never
quite reached, for Economic Development.
Commissioners Mike Rhoades and Diane Delaplane said that based on the
current receipts of about $47,000, they were looking at $94,000 for the
year. Doubling the fee may or may not reach that level, depending on
property sales the remainder of the year.
Local resident Al Bliss asked what would happen if the receipts exceed
the $150,000 that the county had committed to the Community Improvement
Corporation (CIC).
“If the income from the tax exceeds $150,000, the additional money will
go into the 106 Fund, which is designated Economic Development only,”
they said.
The vote Monday brings the Conveyance Fee, or Transfer Tax, to .30
cents per $100, or $3.00 per $100,000. The first dollar is required by
state law and goes into the county’s general fund. The second dollar,
as well the third that was just passed, is designated specifically for
Economic Development.
Commissioner Mike Stegall said the response to the issue has been more
positive than negative.
“Everyone is in favor of economic development,” he said. “Those who are
against it just want us to get the money from somewhere else.”
“Part of it was understanding how the money was going to be used,”
Delaplane said.
She added that the money will benefit the economy in Darke County,
noting that every dollar spent brings a $7 return in economic activity.
Commissioners acknowledged that some specific businesses, mostly in
retention, are being targeted with this funding. They added that
Economic Development Director Marc Salek can’t talk publicly about it.
“Some if it he can’t even tell us,” Rhoades said.
Stegall and Delaplane acknowledged that Ohio is balancing the budget
without raising taxes.
“They start doing it by severely cutting the funds that go to local
agencies,” he said. “At the same time, they are making it easier for us
to replace that funding from local taxpayers.”
Darke County cut its budget twice in 2010 but anticipates no major cuts
in 2011. While the Conveyance Fee can increase to $4 per $100,000,
another increase is not planned. The primary source of General Fund
revenue, a 0.5 percent sales tax, is at its maximum level without a
public vote.
The Transfer Tax is perceived as an opportunity to grow economic
activity and jobs in the county, which in turn would make the county
less dependent on state and federal funds to provide necessary services.
Contrary to the large attendance at the two public hearings in recent
weeks, Monday’s meeting was attended by the Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney Margaret Hayes, local media and two citizens, Bliss and Robert
Foster.
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