ASHLAND — City of Ashland residents will be asked to consider approving a fire and safety income tax renewal in November.
At Tuesday evening’s meeting, Ashland City Council passed legislation placing the five-year, quarter percent income tax on November’s ballot for the purpose of generating revenue for employing and equipping police and fire personnel.
“This is not an additional tax. This is a renewal of an existing tax,” said Mayor Matt Miller.
He estimates that the tax generates between $800,000 and $850,000 in a “good year.” The funds are split evenly between the Ashland Police and Fire Departments.
Currently, the fire department is fully staffed with 37 employees. The police department sits at 29 officers. It would be fully staffed with 32 officers.
The positions are needed, but recruiting officers has been challenging, Chief David Marcelli said in an interview last week.
In early June, Ashland City Council had approved legislation to establish a new part-time position at the city of Ashland Police Department with the intention to help recruit new officers.
The new position called “Police Recruit” would pay 20 to 23 dollars an hour for 20 hours per week. It could be offered to an individual who is completing the police academy training and could allow the department to build an early connection with a potential full-time employee.
“It’s another tool in our recruiting toolbox to screen respective officers and give them some additional training. And a good way to get them hired by the department,” Marcelli said.
He cited a decline in academy enrollment and challenges in hiring for the past two to three years.
“Current conditions don’t make it any easier, but we’re not going to lower our standards,” Marcelli said.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, council approved a 10 year, 50 percent community reinvestment area tax incentive for Ashland South Street LLC, a business that is converting the former Associated Charities Building on South Street into a restaurant.
The business is expected to invest $832,000 into the building’s renovation.
The incentive is “right in line with” what the city has offered to others in Ashland’s downtown, according to Mayor Matt Miller.
