CINCINNATI -- Hamilton County Commissioners Monday voted 2-1 to keep a 13-year-old property tax rollback in place and not raise taxes.
Commissioners Todd Portune, a Democrat, and Republican Greg Hartmann refused to break a promise made to taxpayers who voted in 1996 to increase the sales tax in 1996 to help pay for Paul Brown Stadium and Great American Ball Park.
Democrat David Pepper, the lone dissenter, proposed reducing the rollback by 40 percent of its scheduled amount for 2010 – a move recommended by the county administrator.
The bottom line is that taxpayers will get the full rebate of $52 per $100,000 valuation, during the 2010.
The property tax rollback issue comes as the stadium sales tax fund is projected to have a $14 million dollar gap.
Neither Portune nor Hartmann suggested alternative funding plans during Monday’s commissioner staff meeting.
Joint Statement From Commissioners Portune & Hartmann
The following is a joint statement from Commissioners Todd Portune and Greg Hartmann issued at 5 p.m. Monday evening:
Cincinnati, OH – Hamilton County Commissioners Todd Portune and Greg Hartmann issued the following statement today regarding their vote to fully fund the 2010 Property Tax Rebate (PTR) from the Stadium Sales Tax Fund:
“Today we cast our votes in support of the property tax payers of Hamilton County. We refuse to immediately sacrifice the PTR when a long term solution to fix this fund has not been discussed among all stakeholders of the Stadium Fund.
“It must be understood by all stakeholders, including both the Bengals and the Reds, that the pending deficit we face is a collective problem. The burden of a flawed financial model based on grossly inaccurate sales tax projections and overzealous lease terms should not be shouldered by our tax payers.
“Based upon our vote this morning, we will work to identify the additional funds needed to keep the PTR in full in 2010. Additionally, we look forward to discuss a long term solution to the financial status of the Stadium Sales Tax Fund."
