Communities are no different from businesses or other organizations; they require constant investment to ensure they are meeting the demands of their customers (citizens). These demands require results that are cost-effective and competitive with their competition (other communities). If the services that are provided become too expensive or lack sufficiency, the standard of living is lowered, property values suffer and there is less opportunity.
The city of Tiffin is asking for a 0.25-percent increase in the city income tax in order to continue to provide a level of service that will allow our community to remain safe, maintained and in a position to seek new opportunities. This is the first time since 1987 the city of Tiffin has asked for any increase in city income tax. The city has shown a great sense of responsibility in how it has spent money in the past. The city has reinvested the income tax in infrastructure that has helped to attract new businesses and improve property values. The city has invested the income tax in services that have provided a high level of safety through fire and police protection, as well as emergency medical and street maintenance.
The city of Tiffin has not hesitated to reduce its operations and the cost associated with them. But, we are now at a level where further reductions dramatically will impact our safety and property values. This is not a situation the city of Tiffin created or desires. Cuts have been made in state funding and the promises made to local governments have been forgotten. Because the state broke its promise does not lessen the need or change the fact that we must decide what type of community we will have: one that is safe, well maintained and able to support a strong family environment or one that is none of the above. The choice is ours and the cost is low.
For these reasons and the future of our community, the board of trustees of the Seneca Industrial & Economic Development Corp. unanimously supports the city of Tiffin's request for a 0.25-percent increase in the city income tax and asks for your favorable vote Nov. 6.
Rich Focht,
president and CEO, Seneca Industrial & Economic Development Corp.
