The borough assembly voted 5-4 in favor of Dale Bagley’s non-prepared food tax substitute last night and then postponed it.
Multiple council members stated they were on the fence about the issue after pertinent testimony was given on both sides.
There were many who supported the repeal as a way to further fund the school district…
“The long and short of it simply: as a state, especially with the oil prices we need to get away from one source of income, one source of revenue to support our schools. Education’s not something we should turn on and off, it doesn’t go on for three months and off for nine months, it’s a constant.”
And those who opposed, saying that food is a necessity…
“Like Mr. Ogle, I’ve lived law school in Georgetown Michigan, I’ve lived in St. Louis, Ohio I was born and raised, none of these places, and they are heavily taxed, none of them tax food. Why? Because food is essential. Same thing with medical care, you don’t tax medical care here.”
Overall, Wayne Ogle said this issue demonstrates the borough’s need for a complete tax reform.
Another public hearing on Bagley’s substitute which would collect sales tax on non-prepared food items six months out of the year has been set for a borough meeting in April.