http://portsmouthcitizens.info/Council/CityBuilding/11-15-11E-mailcorrespondence.pdf
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Every Time a Fiasco - the Marting's Saga Continues
Will these boys ever learn? The answer is no. Read it for yourself:
Scroll through the boys long email (at the link below) and you will note all the elected officials involved. Don't miss Basham's proposal to include space in the Marting's building for SOGP and the Chamber of Commerce. Oh, and for all of us that were up at 4:00 am checking to see if we had sewage coming into our homes, I hope the rest of you will continue to pray for us...that's all we can hope for.
http://portsmouthcitizens.info/Council/CityBuilding/11-15-11E-mailcorrespondence.pdf
http://portsmouthcitizens.info/Council/CityBuilding/11-15-11E-mailcorrespondence.pdf
Thursday, February 23, 2012
More Money to Spend
After the state auditor ensured in 2010 that Trent Williams knew that he had the legal obligation to submit Amended Certificates of Available Resources when funds increased or decreased and that he would in fact submit them (he didn't do anything in 2009 even though he publicly stated that revenues were down and the city would finish the year in a deficit), he's now proud to say that owing to tax increases, the city has more money to spend. We know they will. First priority...new city offices...not fixing the sewers or the streets.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Lucky You - Malone Raises Sewer Rates by 10%
Not only do we get to pay more in income taxes this year, the un-elected mayor of Portsmouth has raised our sewer rates 10%. One might ask why, especially if you are among the hundreds affected by sewage backup into your homes?
The truth is, the boys misappropriated (raided) the sewer fees we've paid for years...which are supposed to go toward the maintenance and upgrade of our sewer system...to pay general government operations. This is against the laws of the State of Ohio and the City of Portsmouth.
So, as a result of their unlawful actions the estimated beginning balance in January 2012 is -$600,000. That's right, a huge deficit. Now we get to bail the boys out yet again.
See this "guesstimated deficit" from the unknowing city auditor on the next page and then the "charge-offs" the boys did in 2010. You will see how much was "charged off" to water. That's why we received an 18% increase in our water rates last year.
I'll post more once I've received the new rate sheets and will be able to tell you more.
The truth is, the boys misappropriated (raided) the sewer fees we've paid for years...which are supposed to go toward the maintenance and upgrade of our sewer system...to pay general government operations. This is against the laws of the State of Ohio and the City of Portsmouth.
So, as a result of their unlawful actions the estimated beginning balance in January 2012 is -$600,000. That's right, a huge deficit. Now we get to bail the boys out yet again.
See this "guesstimated deficit" from the unknowing city auditor on the next page and then the "charge-offs" the boys did in 2010. You will see how much was "charged off" to water. That's why we received an 18% increase in our water rates last year.
I'll post more once I've received the new rate sheets and will be able to tell you more.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Check Your Property Tax Bill and Auditor's Website
Although first half year property taxes are due February 14, you still have time to contest any problems you might observe after reviewing your property tax bill and the auditor's website. Adjustments can be made.
The first thing you should do is take out your tax bill and (since you are reading this) go to the Scioto County Auditor's website to search properties: http://www.sciotocountyauditor.org/
1) Click on "Start Your Search"
2) From the menu on the left, I find it much easier to search by Street Address; click this.
3) Now enter your house number twice (low and high) and then enter street name but DO NOT include street, drive, etc.
4) You should see your property. If not, try entering low and high numbers on your street and then you can click on yours. For your information, you can use this site to check on properties anywhere in the city and county. These are public records.
Once your record is up, you will see a Summary. Read this carefully to compare with what you actually have. A friend recently discovered she was listed as having several hundred square feet more than she has along with 3 full baths and 1 half bath when, in fact, all she has is 1 full bath.
You can now go through the other menu items on the left below "summary". Assessments show the reassessed value of your home. By state law, this is done every 6 years and shows up on your taxes in years 3 and 6. This reassessment is currently performed by a firm from Dayton. More about this later.
If you see major discrepancies that could lower your bill, you can file an appeal to the Board of Tax Revision. Contact the County Auditor's office for information on and date by which you must file in 2012: 740/355-8324; 8 am - 4 pm Monday-Friday. Good luck!
The first thing you should do is take out your tax bill and (since you are reading this) go to the Scioto County Auditor's website to search properties: http://www.sciotocountyauditor.org/
1) Click on "Start Your Search"
2) From the menu on the left, I find it much easier to search by Street Address; click this.
3) Now enter your house number twice (low and high) and then enter street name but DO NOT include street, drive, etc.
4) You should see your property. If not, try entering low and high numbers on your street and then you can click on yours. For your information, you can use this site to check on properties anywhere in the city and county. These are public records.
Once your record is up, you will see a Summary. Read this carefully to compare with what you actually have. A friend recently discovered she was listed as having several hundred square feet more than she has along with 3 full baths and 1 half bath when, in fact, all she has is 1 full bath.
You can now go through the other menu items on the left below "summary". Assessments show the reassessed value of your home. By state law, this is done every 6 years and shows up on your taxes in years 3 and 6. This reassessment is currently performed by a firm from Dayton. More about this later.
If you see major discrepancies that could lower your bill, you can file an appeal to the Board of Tax Revision. Contact the County Auditor's office for information on and date by which you must file in 2012: 740/355-8324; 8 am - 4 pm Monday-Friday. Good luck!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Property Tax Time
I've started putting up some useful information regarding property taxes. The first is on the "Useful Data and Information" tab and includes a full list of all exempt and abated properties in the city - properties for which no tax is paid.
I'll be adding more information and an analysis of who pays what...so check back.
I'll be adding more information and an analysis of who pays what...so check back.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
2012 City Building Committee - January 18, 2012 Minutes
So you will know.
City Building Steering Committee Meeting
Minutes
January 18, 2011
Members Present: Alan Barlow,
Wayne Kempf, Sean Boldman, Mistie Spicer, Sharon Bender, Rich Saddler.
Also Present: First Ward
Councilman Kevin Johnson
The
committee elected Alan Barlow to serve as chair of the committee and Mistie
Spicer will serve as secretary.
First
Ward Council Kevin Johnson sent committee members via email the information
obtained by a former city building committee who was formed by Mayor Jim Kalb
to look at the city’s properties and make suggestions to city council for the
location of a new city building. Wayne said based on the information already
received he believes the current committee has a good start in this current
effort. He said the basic information from the report has not changed except
for the financial costs associated. Wayne said he would like to visit the sites
the city owns. Kevin Johnson told the group that Bill Beaumont would have
access to all of the city owned properties.
Kevin
Johnson told the committee that an offer has been made to purchase the Martings
Building and to lease the building back to the city. He said an organization
wants to use a portion of the building as a training facility. Johnson said if
this occurs the city would no longer own the building and the Martings
Foundation would release the 1.4 million it has been holding for investment
into the building. Johnson said the organization is expected to meet with local
banks and the Martings Foundation. Rich asked if the organization would make
all modifications to the Martings Building.
Johnson
told the committee that the current city building is not salvageable. He said
the foundation is cracking. Johnson said it is considered to be the most
valuable property the city owns. Estimated worth is 1 to 1.2 million dollars.
Johnson
advised the committee to look at all options that were presented to them in the
information the previous Building Committee had gathered. He said David Stone
of Tanner Stone would be able to give the committee rough cost estimates on all
options. He advised the committee to suggest three options for council to
consider. He said council needs to be able to communicate those options to the
community. There was discussion as to whether the Martings Building would be an
option again. It was determined the lease agreement could enable the Martings
Building to be an option to be presented to the public. In addition to possible options, Rich said
the committee should also consider ways to fund the options such as issuing
bonds or selling the properties the city owns and present those to council for
consideration as well.
Wayne
Kempf said the committee needs to look at all the properties the city owns and
have an open discussion about each property. Committee members were asked to
write down pros and cons for each location to bring to the next meeting.
Sean
Boldman said the Martings Building is the only property the city owns that would
be a rehab; all other properties would need to be a new build. He estimated a
new build would cost at least 9 to 10 million for a 75,000 square foot
building. Boldman said the city can’t afford to build a new building. He said
the Martings Building offers the best infrastructure.
The
committee talked about the Adelphia Building which according to Kevin Johnson
would need to be rewired. The building is not big enough to include all
departments but the city owns property across the state to expand. Johnson said
the building is not acceptable as it is. There are benefits to the Adelphia
Building considering its proximity to the courthouse and the city health
department.
It
was decided that the committee meetings in the future would be an hour in
length and that the committee would stick to an agenda. The agenda would be
emailed to everyone prior to the next meeting. In regards to the next meeting
time Mistie said she would email everyone to determine the best time to meet in
February. Allen said he would talk to the mayor about attending the next
meeting to provide more details about the proposed lease agreement with the
organization. Sean said he would contact David Stone and get updated figures on
all properties to present at the next meeting.
Allen
moved to adjourn and Sean seconded the motion. The committee’s next
meeting is February 15 at 5:30 in
council chambers.
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