Wayne trustee candidates differ on tax increases

Seven people running for three 4-year village of Wayne trustee seats in April differ on whether the village should go to voters in the future with a ballot question to raise taxes.

One incumbent says it's a reality of increased costs and police pension obligations while others say private fundraisers and deferring projects will help sustain the village with no new taxes as long as state funding is constant.

Trustees Michael Anastasio, Michael Dimitroff and Ann Tigges and challengers Shawn Hilton, Jim Lorenz, Patrick O'Brien and Kathleen O'Rourke hope to win seats April 4.

Tigges recently repeated a statement from four years ago that the village, sooner rather than later, needs to consider putting a tax increase question on the ballot.

She said for some it would be "political suicide," but noted the village has increased costs such as more financial obligations to fund police pensions. In the meantime, the village is deferring road projects and growth to the tax base though new construction is negligible.

"I hate to say it but it might have to happen," Tigges said. "We've been skimping and skimping the past 12 years. At some point, I'm afraid it might not be enough."

Anastasio is opposed to any tax increase. He has organized numerous fundraisers and benefits for village residents to come together to supplement some village costs. He said as long as the state doesn't cut funding - such as the share of state income tax doled out to communities based on population - the village will be OK.

"Taxes beget more taxes," Anastasio said. "It never ends. At some point, you have to say enough is enough. People should (contribute) because they want to not because the government tells them to."

Dimitroff acknowledged the day is coming when trustee may have to put a tax increase question on the ballot. But he is not in favor of a referendum yet "Down the road, the choice is going to have to be made," he said.

O'Rourke said the village is running a lean budget and that officials should look at other forms of revenue that residents can contribute to.

O'Brien said he would support a ballot question if the village has exhausted all options. "I wouldn't want to get into a situation where all of our roads have completely deteriorated," he said. "I would want to be a little bit on the cautious side of doing that."

Lorenz said he's not in favor of increasing taxes and says current costs can be contained by budget tweaks. "I don't think we're in the environment where (a referendum) is the solution," he said.

Hilton could not be reached for comment.