Tue Mar 16 2010
by Mike Lesko
Associate Editor
Stow -- A verdict on whether Stow will sign onto a complex Summit County tax-sharing plan will wait for another day.
Council delayed its vote June 25, instead scheduling a special June 29 meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Council members oppose Summit County Executive Russ Pry's request that Summit's 31 communities sign a deal that creates what is called a Model Code of Conduct. It is supposed to keep cities from poaching businesses from each other.
However, Stow Council members believe it unfairly penalizes their city because towns that sign onto the agreement would receive extra points when state or federal infrastructure grant applications are graded.
That would put those communities at an advantage over those who decide not to sign on.
The June 25 vote was delayed by a technicality because Council Vice President Mary Bednar and Councilwoman Janet D'Antonio voted not to suspend the voting rules.
"I am sensitive to [possibly] losing that [Issue One] money," D'Antonio said. "But once our community is ruled by intimidation and fear [through the Summit County poaching agreement], things will never be the same."
Bednar said, "If Summit County holds money away from us [because of the poaching agreement], shame on them."
Other Council members agreed that they don't like the Summit proposal but added that they didn't want to hurt Stow's chances of obtaining Issue One infrastructure funds.
"We have a number of substantially important issues [coming up soon that could be deprived of Issue One funds,"] Council President Ron Alexander said.
Councilman James Costello said, "We are being blackmailed by the county."
Councilman John Pribonic said, "These are projects that need to be done."
Also, if a business moves from a Summit County community that has signed the agreement, the business' new home city could be required to share income-tax revenue with the business' former home community.
"It's ridiculous to split money like that," Councilman Matt Riehl.
Alexander's amendment
Alexander said there is no benefit in the agreement for Stow, but he said it would hurt the city not to sign it.
So he wants Council to pass the legislation -- with an amendment.
Alexander is proposing that Mayor Karen Fritschel sign the agreement, then give notice to terminate it the day after the contract takes effect.
The six-month window of the amended contract would get the city through the next Issue One grant application and scoring process.
That scenario could occur June 29 when Council is scheduled to vote again on the issue -- which would include Alexander's amendment -- prior to the June 30 deadline to submit Issue One grants.
Councilwoman Sara Drew said none of the Council members were likely to change their minds by June 29. If so, that would create the same 5-2 Council vote, thus approving the legislation, allowing Stow to sign onto the Summit poaching plan for 181 days, with Alexander's proposal included.
Fritschel likes plan
Fritschel likes the Summit County plan because she believes it discourages businesses from moving from one city to another in the county.
"The whole idea of this is how we can work together," Fritschel said. "It was meant to be positive. The whole point is to work.
"Is this a perfectly written agreement? No," the mayor said. "But it is not a terrible agreement.
"We are not doing well [financially] in northeast Ohio. We can't do things the same old way anymore."
Legal proceedings approved
Stow officials want to see the Summit poaching legislation changed. That could come from a legal opinion from Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray.
First, though, Cordray must be asked to consider it by Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh.
Council unanimously approved legislation June 25 in which Walsh will officially be asked to contact Cordray.
If Walsh does not, the city will take legal action against Summit County and the state, according to the legislation.
"After we ask the prosecutor, if she doesn't ask [Cordray], our only alternative will be to litigate the matter," Alexander said.
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