Council tables part-time hire in finance department

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By Gary Budzak

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Delaware City Council has agreed to table an ordinance to fill a permanent part-time position in the finance department.

The position was requested to assist with the Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) income tax agreement the city entered into in 2014 with Berkshire Township in connection with a new outlet-store shopping mall under construction in the township. Delaware is part of the JEDD because, as a city, it has the legal authority to tax; a township does not.

In the May election, township residents approved the JEDD referendum by an 80-20 percent margin.

As part of the agreement, the JEDD would remit 4 percent of the gross tax receipts to offset costs incurred by the city to administer the tax and provide administrative support to the JEDD board.

The legislation states, “previous discussions with City Council prior to entering into the JEDD Contract included the addition of a permanent part-time position in the Finance Department to offset the additional staff time necessary to administer the JEDD Tax and related financial transactions.” The ordinance called for appropriating $10,442 from the general fund for wages, pension, Medicare and workers compensation.

During Monday’s council meeting, council member Andrew Brush asked the five other members who were present how they would vote, and upon hearing that it was split, called for a vote to table the legislation until a decision could be reached. Council approved tabling it by a 4-2 vote, with Brush, Joe DiGenova, George Hellinger and Carolyn Kay Riggle in favor; and Chris Jones and Lisa Keller opposed. The seventh member, Kent Shafer, wasn’t present.

Council is expected to decide the matter at its meeting on Aug. 10.

Gary Budzak may be reached at 740-413-0904 or on Twitter @GaryBudzak.

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