LANCASTER, Ohio -- Fairfield County is buzzing about a possible sales tax increase.
The move would help county commissioners prevent a budget shortfall in 2010.
Fairfield County Prosecutor David Landefeld suggested the .25-percent increase Tuesday as commissioners prepared for their budget retreat.
"This is not the time to ask residents for money when they are struggling to make ends meet," said commission President Jody Shupe. "This is not a good time to be talking about increased taxes. We do realize that our departments have made quite a significant adjustment in their spending."
But Landefeld does not agree. "I have never seen sales tax deter people from shopping in a county, just look at Easton and Polaris," he explained. "When you talk about what it would cost the average consumer, you're talking about a 25-cent additional cost on a $100 purchase."
Fairfield County boasts the lowest sales tax at 6.25 percent. And unlike other counties in Ohio, those revenues are on track in 2009 to generate $11 million dollars. This represents one-third of Fairfield County's general fund.
Without the increase, commissioners face a $5.2 million shortfall for 2010. The increase would generate $3.8 million.
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