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CUYAHOGA COMMMISIONERS ASKED TO PUT SALES TAX
by SARAH HOLLANDER
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2008 at 3:28 PM
MEGA PARASITISM VULTURES, VAMPIRES SALES TAX MEDICAL MART
Cuyahoga commissioners asked to put sales-tax increase on ballot
Friday, March 07, 2008Sarah Hollander and Joe GuillenPlain Dealer Reporters
Cuyahoga County should roll back its sales tax hike if a convention center-Medical Mart deal isn't immediately forthcoming, according to a group that pushed for a public vote on the tax last year.
Commissioners hope to know by next week whether they have a deal with Chicago-based Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.
If negotiations drag on with MMPI or other companies, Cleveland City Councilmen Zack Reed and Brian Cummins and members of the Put It On the Ballot group want the county to stop collecting the higher tax.
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They asked commissioners Thursday to place the increase on the ballot in November, or whenever a deal is finalized.
They also want the Convention Facilities Authority, a publicly appointed group disbanded in 2006, reassembled to take over planning and negotiations.
The county is currently paying attorney Fred Nance to lead private negotiations with MMPI.
Commissioners voted 2-1 last year to increase the countywide sales tax by a quarter of a percent -- from 7.5 percent to 7.75 percent -- to pay for the bulk of the project.
Put It On the Ballot tried unsuccessfully to collect enough signatures last summer to force a public vote on the increase.
Collections began in October and have produced about $3.3 million a month.
The county passed the increase to show MMPI that it was serious about making a public-private partnership work. Supporters say the project will attract thousands of visitors and boost the region's economy.
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