Businesses add support to property tax vote in Youngtown

Several businesses boosted Youngtown Mayor Michael LeVault’s plea for support of the community’s first property tax.

At Thursday’s Common Council meeting, LeVault said the poor economy and decline in state-shared revenues prompted his request to move forward on a referendum on the May 18 ballot asking voter approval of the tax.

Maricopa County Assessor Keith Russell and his executive senior adviser, Lesley Kravitz, made a presentation on the potential tax.

"Having property taxes can be a difficult thing to start for a community who has never had them, but it depends on what your government wants," Russell said.

Tom McCormick, owner of General Exterminating in Youngtown, said he was skeptical at first about the proposed tax but is on board.

"As soon as I heard there might be another tax, I felt like I’m being taxed right up to my eyeballs," he said. "But this is to help the police department who is doing a great job, so I will do what I can to help them."

Councilwoman Judy Johnson said it’s important for councilors to approve the ballot issue because the deadline to submit the referendum is Jan. 8, the day after the next council meeting,

Russell said the town must include the tax rate on the ballot.

Youngtown Town Manager Lloyce Robinson said the staff expects to have a number by the next meeting.

LeVault said money from a property tax would fund public safety services, particularly the police department.

In addition, LeVault said the town has other resources to help with their budget such as the retail and vehicle licensing tax.

But with anticipated state-shared revenue cuts at 24 percent, Youngtown officials believe they’ll need the property taxes to help continue to fund the police department.

Other businesses owners gave their support at the meeting, including Laura Rice, owner of Koppy’s Body Shop and Larry Ornelis, of National Glass and Mirror.

Robinson said the property tax will help make up the loss of the revenue stream from the state if it’s passed.

"We have to operate the town seamlessly, and that can only happen if we have the funds," she said. "This tax will help us do just that."