Kaisch cuts spur levy, layoffs and sales tax increase in Fairfield County

According to Policy Matters Ohio, local governments lost nearly $800 Million in Kasich’s first budget.   And his 2014/2015 budget deepens those cuts, with locals seeing a loss of an additional $1.4 Billion compared to 2010/2011.

In Fairfield County, Policy Matters puts the total loss at $18.5 Million, with county operations losing $3.9 million.

To compensate for the loss of revenue, Fairfield County commissioners have opted to adopt a permanent 0.25 percent sales tax.  The Lancaster Eagle Gazette estimates the tax would bring in between $3.5 and $4 Million per year, money county commissioners say is “needed to run the county on a day-to-day basis.”

Lancaster, the county seat of Fairfield County, lost $1.4 million in Kasich’s first budget.  The city was forced to lay off 13 firefighters at the end of 2011, putting a strain on the fire departments of surrounding communities.

In January, Lancaster City Council voted to put a road repair levy on the ballot for this May.   The levy would cost homeowners $91.87 annually for a $100,000 home.