Blan officials pass income tax

BLANCHESTER — Village officials discussed and passed an income tax ordinance on Thursday to fund the Blanchester Police Department.

At the Blanchester village council meeting, Mayor John Carman informed attendees that they were considering moving forward with an ordinance he called a “direct income tax ordinance.” . The ordinance passed by a vote of three to one.

Board member Tyler McCollister voted against. Council members William Garner and Joshua Parks were not present. Carman indicated that they needed a third of the votes of those present at the meeting for approval.

According to the ordinance, the money collected will go to the Blanchester Police Department and it will be a 1% income tax.

“Current village tax revenues are not sufficient to enhance the ability of the Blanchester Police Department to effectively protect its residents,” the order reads. “The village council has attempted to pass this ordinance in the past without declaring an emergency, but each time the ordinance has been repealed by referendum.”

Carman indicated that there would be no change from what it was before. In June 2022, the council approved a 1% income tax which would have come into force at the beginning of this year. A referendum against the ordinance was successful with just four votes in the fall of 2022.

“My recommendation, I always say we should probably put it on the ballot. But with the finances where they are, if we put it on the ballot, we’re not going to see or know anything until November,” Carman said.

He went on to say that if that failed, they would consider next year to start again.

This income tax will come into force in September if there is no referendum.

Council member Reilly Hopkins said it was a difficult decision for them because of how the village had been able to operate without income tax.

“It’s gotten to this point where there’s just no way to go forward without one,” Hopkins said. “I understand that might not be the way people want it to happen. I totally understand that, but it’s not really a question of how we’re going to get there. It’s about securing that funding for the longevity of that police service. That’s why I can be behind this.

Council Member Tyler McCollister indicated that he could not support this order at this time. He added that he thought they needed them for the police department.

“I think we need to work to come up with a better plan together and get a committee involved to see what it takes to get there,” McCollister said.

A referendum against this ordinance would need to collect signatures to be tabled.

Contact John Hamilton at 937-382-2574