To replace a dilapidated police station and bolster safety budgets Kent City Council will vote this month to put a 0.5 percent income tax increase on the November ballot.
If approved by voters, the measure would raise Kent's income tax rate from 2 percent to 2.5 percent and would generate $2.7 million in annual revenue for the city.
Of that revenue, $1.2 million annually would pay the debt service on the estimated $18 million cost of replacing Kent's police station. The remaining $1.5 million in annual revenue would go to the fire and police department budgets.
You can read about the proposed increase here:
How did you vote?
Tell us in the comments.
Matt McMinn
11:41 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Uhm... Do they not realize Kent has a drastically low median income. How about instead of further taxing the already low paid, how about the council works to bring in new employers, create jobs, and get this extra revenue thru THAT. Bring in new jobs, income tax revenue goes up.
Also, how "dilapidated" is the police station really, and do they "need" an $18 million dollar new building? I say NO! Actually, I say HELL NO!
If you want to talk about fundrasiers, and adding on or renevating the existing PD, or buying an existing building, and renovating it for their needs. I'm on board. But this is just a gluttonous wasteful suggestion. If Kent PD & FD want larger operating budgets, they need to get on the councils ass to do something to bring in REAL JOBS.
Property taxes are already high, property value is inflated, yet median income is under $30k a year. I'm no scientist but that doesn't sound like a winning economic combination. Not even if you just want to sustain.
Bring in the jobs.
William B Budner ESQ.
12:33 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
yes, have them do a bake sale or throw a water balloon at a cop festival, raise your own darn money!
Matt McMinn
11:21 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
KSU students would probably drown the PD in dollars for a chance to throw stuff at cops, legally. That's a great idea.
I know a few of the Officers in Kent, great guys, I'm sure they'd be good sports.
Logan
1:00 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
My question is that if they are wanting to build a new PD building...where? And why can they not renovate the current one? Also what would they do with that building? Maybe they should look into a co-op with Kent State University's Police Academy to help fund a new building. Why do elected officials always think lets increase a tax? We need to be creative in finding new sources of money!
Matt McMinn
11:26 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
Cause it's always easier to pay for things with OPM (Other People's Money)
Sara Jurovcik
2:41 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
I have a pretty low income and I'm willing to pay a little more money to help the police. In my 22 years of living in Kent, I thankfully have not needed them often. But when I have, they were timely and caring.
Mars
6:34 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Ditto.
Pat
3:11 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Let me explain something to everyone reading these comments. The Kent Police Department DOES NOT need a new building. Forty five years ago the Court Chambers, Fire Department, Mayor's Office and Police Departments (Kent Police had 14 policeman too, not the zillions they have now) and the courts, Water Department and the list goes on were all in the current building. The city is no larger than it was 30 years ago--it is KSU who have gotten larger. Kent State should build their own Fire Department and oh yeah KSU does have a Police Department per say.
If the City of Kent had taken care of their property they wouldn't be needing a tax increase. I am against the tax increase for a new Police Department. I shall vote No in the fall. The Kent Police has the whole building and what are they doing with it??? Remodel the present building and stop complaining.
Logan
4:13 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
I agree with you Pat. Do they really need this increase when they all like to line up any time there is a party and use tear gas? They waste money left and right and this tax increase is just another example!
debbie bartels
4:39 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
I would like to know if you have taken a tour of the entire police station not just the jail. I have been all through the building and it is extremely unsafe for anyone. There is a vacant lot sitting on Mogadore road that they could build it on. I am all in for a new building, and I only make about 15 thousand a year. I am voting yes, and I hope alot of others do too.
Concerned Neighbor
7:52 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
I commend you for being willing to increase your income tax in gross terms about $75 a year. The problem is your vote would cause my household increase to be about 12 times your share. Considering my share @ 2% is already 12 times yours, I somehow don't think that is quite fair. I think I get the same police and fire protection as you do, yet pay 12 times as much for it. How come police and fire protection cost is tied to income anyway? How about we assess each property in the city equally? Each 'property' receives equal police and fire protection so an equal charge for each seems fair.
Mars
8:10 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
If each property in the city was assessed equally, wouldn't that bother those in the Riverside development when they realize their homes are worth less than $100,000?
Chuck Pope
6:05 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Put me in the 22% for the tax hike. I have toured the police facility. It is a mishmash of add-ons and renovations dating back to the 1920s.I don't think the $18 million will hold up to scrutiny, but something definitely needs done. Maybe an increase in court fine costs could help lower the cost. And as for their "lining up and using tear gas at parties", well if people weren't acting like drunken morons destroying other peoples' property and assaulting others, then maybe the police could do their normal job, instead of crowd control.
Logan
8:28 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
Chuck - properties were not destroyed. I was there this year at "College Fest" and no property was damaged...yes there were beer bottles and cans in the yards, but is that really hurting anyone? Not to mention...police started the drama that day...it can be seen on any video from that day. Then the next week, they sent their officers and SWAT for a round 2. There were no parties. Huge waste of tax dollars for standing around all day...when they stop wasting tax dollars and use their money efficiently, I will support the tax increase. Until then...try privately fundraising...
Teresa K.
2:03 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
My list of reasons to get out of Kent is growing.... my wallet isn't growing, just my list.
Did anyone tell Kent officials we are in a depression... oh, ya, we are not supposed to say that word. All this construction and soon, there won't be any families in Kent to support the businesses.