Time To Raise Sales Tax

Fulton County Commissioners have been doing what they can to cut the county general fund budget, but it's not enough.

They're considering raising the county sales tax to make ends meet.

Of course, there are more drastic things that could be done. County offices could close a day or two each week- but some offices can't close, and others will fall behind in their workload. County employees' wages could be cut, but many county workers are unionized. Unions don't like wage cuts.

No one likes higher taxes, but the truth is, it must be done. The other options are too difficult to contemplate. Ohio law says the sheriff office can stop road patrols. To do so could invite more crime.

Many call a sales tax the fairest tax available. It's based entirely on what a person buys. The more they buy, the more tax they pay.

Any increase in the sales tax will be small, a penny or less per dollar. On most small purchases, the additional cost probably won't even be noticed. On a big-ticket item, like, say, a car, the increase will certainly be noticeable, but not unmanageable.

A sales tax hike won't leave county government rolling in cash, but it will keep the lights on.