Tax issue could impact Vermilion

VERMILION — There's a rather unusual issue on November's ballot. Issue 15 in Erie County solely pertains to Vermilion voters. Basically, the charter amendment seeks to change how income tax collections operate in Vermilion. • Voting "no" would maintain the city's status quo for collections. • Voting "yes" would mean drastic changes. If approved, a major portion of funding for street repairs would be wiped away. For those earning $100,000 a year, it would mean a savings of $250 a year. But it brings bad news for Vermilion's government. If approved, $650,000 wouldn't be collected on an annual basis to fix up Vermilion's roads. This represents about 39% of the city's total street fund, made up through other local and state sources. Speaking up The issue found its way on ballots for Vermilion voters due to a petition drive occurring earlier this month. Jean Anderson, a former Vermilion mayor, led the initiative. Anderson raised several questions regarding fiscal responsibility and noted Vermilion can withstand a tax decrease. She believes Vermilion can make ends meet with its current finances and doesn't need this amount, through taxes, to fix streets. "This amendment makes the city administration and council accountable to the residents by forcing them to justify tax increases and gaining the voters' support for a project," Anderson said. Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer countered her claims, explaining the dire ramifications if city officials can't collect this amount of money: • "The city council's and administration's problem with 'past' is that it wipes out a 2016 income tax forgiveness reduction that was earmarked for the city streets fund. That would amount to an estimated $650,000 annual reduction in our streets fund or 39% of the whole fund." • "Proponents say that we could replenish the streets fund from other places. Our response is 'where?' We are already bracing for a $76 million U.S. EPA-mandated wastewater plant rehabilitation." • "The 'past' clause would be crippling to Vermilion's finances." • Vermilion finance director Amy Hendricks "recently won an auditor of state's award for a perfect audit. Only 16% of municipalities achieve that." • This charter amendment is sponsored by former Mayor Jean Anderson, whose city finances were declared by the auditor of state to be 'un-auditable.' Why does she get another chance to screw up our city finances?"