Sarantou urges vote in favor of Issue 5

4/23/2010

Toledo Councilman George Sarantou urged voters yesterday to vote in favor of Issue 5, which will allow the city to reallocate its 0.75 percent income tax.

The current allocation is split equally among the general fund, police and fire operations, and to the capital improvements budget.

"Passage of Issue 5 will allow the city of Toledo to use the dollars from capital improvement to be used to support Toledo general fund," Mr. Sarantou said outside the city's Hoffman Road landfill. "Approximately $7 million could be reallocated to the general fund, largely to support public safety operations."

Mr. Sarantou asked Mayor Mike Bell to commit to lowering the new monthly trash fee of $15.

He said passage May 4 would cut the trash fee to $5 for seniors with homestead exemptions; $8.50 for Toledoans who recycle; and $15 for Toledoans who do not recycle.

"I believe the mayor's proposal will help our citizens by offering a significant discount to seniors and recyclers," he said.

He said passage of Issue 5 also would end the increased income tax paid by people who live in Toledo but work outside of the city.

Recyclables collected by the city has been steadily increasing.

Five hundred tons were collected in December; 1,000 tons in January; 1,500 tons in February, and 1,800 tons in March.