Contact Your Ohio State Governor & Legislators

The City of Xenia strongly encourages you to write your Ohio State Governor and Legislators to urge them to Restore Local Government Funding to Pre-Recession Levels. 

PRESS RELEASE FROM CITY OF XENIA:

Xenia Ohio (April 30, 2019) - The Xenia City Council met in Regular Session on April 25, 2019, and passed emergency Resolution 2019-K Strongly Urging the Ohio Governor and Members of the Ohio General Assembly to Restore the Local Government Fund to Pre-Recession Levels. 

As the Resolution states, reductions at the state level have resulted in a detrimental loss of revenue at least $1,000,000 annually for the City of Xenia. The restoration of local government funds to pre-recession levels would assist the City of Xenia and all other Ohio local communities to provide crucial services to residents, make improvements in infrastructure, and ensure public safety. 

City Council members are strongly encouraging Xenia residents to contact the Governor’s office and their respective State Legislators to support the Resolution. The Resolution cites that the Local Government Fund was reduced in 2011 by 50% during the Kasich Administration from 3.68% of General Revenue Funds to its current level of 1.66% of General Revenue Funds, making it difficult for municipalities and such monies should come back to the communities for the benefits of taxpayers.

The Resolution in its entirety and a cover letter has been sent to Governor DeWine, Speaker of the House Larry Householder,. State Senate President Larry Obhof, State Senator Bob Hackett, and State Representative Bill Dean. 

Citizens are further advised to call the City of Xenia at 937-376-8904 for specific questions.

To Contact Your Ohio State Governor & Legislators:

Write a letter to them at the following addresses.

The Cover letter that was sent to the Governors from the City stated the following:

RE: Restoration of Local Government Funding to Pre-Recession Levels

Gentlemen:

The Xenia City Council met in Regular Session on April 25, 2019, and passed emergency Resolution 2019-K Strongly Urging the Ohio Governor and Members of the Ohio General Assembly to Restore the Local Government Fund to Pre-Recession Levels. A certified true copy is enclosed.

As the Resolution states, the reductions have resulted in a detrimental loss of revenue of at least $1,000,000 annually for the City of Xenia. The restoration of local government funds to pre-cession levels would assist the City of Xenia and all other Ohio local communities to provide crucial services to residents, make improvements in infrastructure, and ensure public safety.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Michelle D. Johnson

Xenia City Clerk

Enc. Resolution 2019 - K

c: Ohio Municipal League, 175 S. Third Street, Suite 510, Columbus, OH 43215

    State Representative Rick Perales, District 73, 77 S. High Street, 13^th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215-6111

 City of Xenia, Ohio - Resolution 2019-K

WHEREAS, the Local Government Fund was reduced in 2011 by 50% during the Kasich Administration from 3.68% of General Revenue Funds to its current level of 1.66% of General Revenue Funds;

WHEREAS, past Ohio General Assemblies have repeatedly decreased funding and revenue sharing to Ohio’s municipalities since 2008, including eliminating the Estate Tax and phasing out the Tangible Personal Property Tax, in addition to significantly reducing the Local Government Fund;

WHEREAS, these reductions have resulted in a detrimental loss of revenue of at least $1,000,000 annually to the City of Xenia.

WHEREAS, over the same period the State has saddled municipalities with unfunded mandates and policy edicts, which have both increased net operating costs without any corresponding revenue to offset these expenses and decreased revenue collection potential through attempts to centralize local income tax collections;

WHEREAS, this revenue loss, whereby the State maxed out its rainy day fund by taking funding from Ohio’s municipalities has made it increasingly difficult for the benefit of the residents that pay such taxes; and

WHEREAS, a restoration in Local Government Fund funding levels to pre-2008 levels will allow Ohio’s municipalities sustain service levels and to invest in infrastructure and capital improvement initiatives, making it easier to foster safe communities, and revitalize their local economies, from which the State of Ohio reaps the benefits as well.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF XENIA HEREBY RESOLVES, at least five (5) members of the City Council concurring, that:

Section 1. This Resolution is an emergency for the reason that voting by the General Assembly on the proposal to restore Local Government Fund funding levels to pre-recession levels is imminent, so this Resolution must be forwarded to the State as quickly as possible.

Section 2. The City of Xenia strongly encourages the Governor and the Ohio General Assembly to restore the Local Government Fund funding to pre-recession levels, ensuring that Ohio’s local communities are able to provide crucial services to their residents, make improvements in infrastructure, and ensure public safety.

Section 3. This Council does hereby declare its opposition any further cuts to the Local Government Fund or the future diversion of revenues from the Local Government Fund.

Section 4. The City Clerk shall forward certified copies of this Resolution to Governor Mike DeWine, State Representative Bill Dean, State Senator Bob D. Hackett, Speaker of the House Larry Householder, Senate President Larry Obhof, and the Ohio Municipal League.

Section 5. It is found that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to the adoption of this Resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Council, and that all deliberations of this Council that resulted in this formal action were in meetings open to the public in compliance with all legal requirements, including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Section 6. This Resolution shall be effective upon its passage, in accordance with Section 5.04 of the City Charter.

Passed: April 25, 2019

Signed,
Michael D. Engle
President, Xenia City Council

Attest:

Michelle  D. Johnson
City Clerk, City of Xenia

Links to the Documents Above:

• Cover Letter Sent to Ohio State Governor & Legislators RE: Restoration of Local Government Funding to Pre-Recession Levels (PDF)
• City of Xenia, Ohio - Resolution 2019-K (PDF)
  • Strongly Urging the Ohio Governor and Members of the Ohio General Assembly to Restore the Local Government Fund to Pre-       Recession Levels, and Declaring an Emergency