NEW TAX? | You can learn about Mahoning’s new road levy proposal tonight

CANFIELD — Mahoning County officials have asked for a new quarter-percent sales tax to fund $45 million in new road work. Commissioners want to hear your input tonight.

The first of two public hearings on the issue, which would appear on the Nov. 2 general election ballot, is set for 5:30 p.m. today at Kenneth F. McMahon Hall on the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield.

County Engineer Pat Ginnetti said township officials — at least one of whom said they're struggling to keep up with annual road work — approached him about the new tax. They coordinated a master plan in which at least one "giant" paving project could be completed each year, he said. Officials expect to give insight on that plan at the hearings.

If the five-year tax passes, customers would pay an extra 25 cents on every $100 spent in Mahoning County. It would be a one-time tax, and wouldn't be up for renewal after five years, officials said.

The new tax is expected to generate $9 million annually. The county engineer's annual budget is $11 million, which comes from the state's gas tax and license plate fees — revenues that have "been stagnant for 20 years," Ginnetti said.

"We kind of took the 'worst-first' approach, but we had to make it a point to be in each township each year," he said. "The roads that don't have high traffic volumes we struggle to get funding for."

A second public hearing is set for 11 a.m. Thursday in the commissioners' hearing room in the basement of the Mahoning County Courthouse, 120 Market St., Youngstown.

This story was originally published July 19, 2021 at 4:37 AM with the headline "NEW TAX? | You can learn about Mahoning’s new road levy proposal tonight."