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LISBON -- Columbiana County Commissioner Tim Weigle said Wednesday that a post on the re-election social media page of fellow Commissioner Roy Paparodis inaccurately claimed that he supports a new property tax to fund a new 911 center.
"No way did I say I stood behind that," Weigle said, adding that his words were "mischaracterized in a social media post."
Weigle addressed the issue during the commissioners' meeting, explaining how the state legislature set the amount counties can collect on cell phones for 911, with the original amount of 70 cents per line whittled down to 40 cents per line, with the county only getting to keep 72 percent of that, an estimated 28 to 29 cents per line. That's only an increase of 3 to 4 cents per line from what was already being collected.
"That's not enough to fund a 911 center," Weigle said.
He explained that during a recent 911 meeting, he gave committee members options for funding that weren't popular, including levying a new property tax, collecting more inside millage (which doesn't require a vote) or a sales tax. He said it will be a tough decision for a board of commissioners and he may not even be here for that since his term ends in December and he decided against seeking re-election. He said he did not say he would do it.
After the meeting, both Weigle and Paparodis answered questions about the issue and made some unsolicited statements, too.
During the commissioners' meeting, Weigle said the comments were on a social media post without identifying the page, but when asked after the meeting, he identified the social media page of Paparodis. Paparodis, a fellow Republican who's seeking a second term, confirmed the statement was on his re-election campaign page and was shared on other pages.
"There is one prominent county elected official who wants to increase everybody's property taxes for an expensive new 911 Center. I say no -- the taxpayers of this county are already paying their fair share of taxes. I favor a new 911 Center, but we will need to fund it without new taxes, period," the quote on the Paparodis re-election Facebook page said.
Paparodis said he was in attendance at the 911 meeting in question when Weigle talked about the funding and that Weigle said he was leaving office and if he has to, he would consider inside millage property tax in order to make up the difference.
"I'm against it then and I'm against it now. No new taxes," Paparodis said.
Weigle then said it likely won't be his decision.
"I didn't say that I would do it," Weigle said.
"I am against raising anybody's property taxes," Paparodis said again.
According to Weigle, he was just being realistic and honest with the committee about the funding options. He noted that state law allows for a board of commissioners to impose charges on properties to help fund 911. He also noted that if commissioners did impose a tax, it could be reversed by a referendum vote.
Paparodis said he's 100 percent for a 911 central system, but he said the people shouldn't have to pay for it. He suggested looking for grants, saying the state should pay for it, but then Weigle pointed out there has to be a steady stream of funding.
The county 911 system currently has five public safety answering points (PSAPs), including the sheriff's office and Salem, East Liverpool, Columbiana and East Palestine police departments. The county 911 system covers the cost of the equipment, but the communities must pay for the personnel and utilities for their 911 PSAPs. The 911 committee has been talking for years about wanting to have one centralized 911 center, but the current funding doesn't support it.
Currently, the only property tax money the county government receives is from .2 mills of inside millage for debt retirement. In 2000, a previous board of commissioners made a deal with voters to stop collecting 2 mills of inside millage the county received for the general fund if voters supported the 1 percent sales tax. The voters agreed and renewed the 1 percent sales tax and all the commissioners since then have honored the deal.
During the questioning, Paparodis made the comment that Weigle "never liked how I was elected" and also said "he kept me uninformed and unaware."
He said during that 911 meeting, when Weigle brought up a property tax, everybody looked at him.
"I think he wanted me to endorse it and compromise by election campaign," Paparodis said.
Weigle told Paparodis he had no qualms about working with him.
Weigle later confirmed that he was endorsing Duane Nickell in the primary election against Paparodis, who's in a three-way race in the March 19 Republican primary against Nickell and Danielle Burch.
"I think Mr. Nickell will be very engaged," he said, adding he has a good knowledge of government, he's been a businessman and knows how to manage money.
The 911 Program Review Committee was set to meet at 8 a.m. today regarding the updated 911 final plan for Columbiana County.