Latest news with #levy
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jefferson hopes to renew two levies
JEFFERSON — Village council voted to move forward with the renewal of two existing levies to help provide services to residents. The resolutions request the Ashtabula County Auditor certify the total current tax valuation and amount of revenue that would be generated for a 1.55-mill, five-year street light levy and a one-mill, five-year fire levy, to be placed on the November ballot. Council also approved a resolution to establish a K-9 fund to be used for all donations and revenues received for the upkeep and support of the dog. They also approved the hiring of Jeromey Cummins to a full-time detective/patrolman position. Jefferson Village Manager Steve Murphy said he was able to attend a local government conference early this month in Washington D.C. He said he was able to let state and federal officials know where the village is, and urge them to come visit. He said one of the topics of conversation was House Bill 335, which would eliminate property tax inside millage. Murphy said the proposal would cost the village $250,000-$300,000 a year.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Levy on streaming platforms could raise about €20 million per year for sector
A levy on streaming platforms in Ireland, which could raise about €20 million per year for public service content, would be an 'obvious quick fix' for the sector, an Oireachtas committee has heard. New proposed broadcasting legislation initially permitted Coimisiún na Meán to impose such a levy. However, an amendment saw an 'added layer of protection for the Irish consumer' from Minister for Media Patrick O' Donovan which would ensure any levy would require ministerial approval. Roderick Flynn of the DCU Institute of Future Media, Democracy and Society told Oireachtas media committee members that a levy of 3 per cent would equate to about €20 million per year in funding for public content and about 30 cent per month on a standard Netflix subscription. READ MORE 'This doesn't seem like an onerous increase for what is, after all, a discretionary household budgetary expenditure,' he said. Given the competitive streaming market in Ireland, he said companies would have a 'strong incentive' to absorb the cost internally. 'Why would you not want €20 million to be thrown specifically at public service content production?' he said. The issue was raised in the context of 'inadequate' funding proposed under the legislation which seeks to convert an existing broadcasting fund to a 'platform-neutral' media fund. Several representatives of the sector highlighted concerns over the level of funding and the way in which it has been allocated to date, with radio stations and papers finding themselves ineligible due to the requirement for 'additionality'. This sees a requirement for a radio station or paper being awarded funding for services, such as court reporting, not already being provided. The allocation of 7 per cent of the net licence fee receipts to the fund, meanwhile, is 'inadequate, especially given the wider scope of eligible applicants,' said Sammi Bourke, chair of Newsbrands Ireland, the representative body for national newspapers. The issue of funding was raised amid widespread difficulties in the sector, notably the emergence of AI and use of content by social media platforms without compensation. Ms Bourke told TDs and senators that news publishers now face 'existential challenges due to the widespread appropriation of our journalism by major tech and AI companies'. 'Our content is being harvested without consent or compensation, undermining the commercial viability of journalism and threatening the public's access to reliable information,' she said. Deirdre Veldon, vice chair of Newsbrands Ireland and managing director of The Irish Times Group, said the companies have 'the best of both worlds' noting that 87 per cent of the advertising revenue previously taken in by the media market is now with big tech. 'What I would prefer to see is them discharging their responsibilities in relation to offering proper compensation to publishers and broadcasters for use of their content,' she said. Michael Kelly, chief executive of the IBI, said the advertising landscape in Ireland has undergone 'major disruption' with tech giants and social media platforms now extracting approximately €1 billion in advertising revenue from the market each year. This is in contrast to about €165 million being taken in by RTÉ radio and the independent radio sector, he said. Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan noted cost increases facing the sector and a loss in ad revenue, saying: 'I honestly fear for the future of the people in this room, of who you're representing, unless something strong is done. You simply have to get a higher percentage of the pot or else it is not commercially feasible to continue to do what you're doing.'
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State proposal to make it harder to pass property tax levies worries Stark County leaders
Stark County leaders say a state proposal to make it more difficult to pass local property tax levies could hurt essential services. The legislation by Reps. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, and Angie King, R-Celina, would raise the threshold for passing levies for schools, libraries, parks and other services to 60% rather than a simple majority. Some lawmakers say it would ensure levies have the full support of the community at a time when many homeowners are being hit with big property tax increases. The Canton Repository examined election results from November 2022 through May 2025 in Stark County. The newspaper found there were a total of 117 tax issues on the ballot, with 93 of those passing with a simple majority. But 35 of the 93 issues would have failed if a 60% majority were required. When the Stark Library levy passed in 2019, it was approved with just over 51% approval. "If that provision had been effect in 2019 when we were on the ballot, it would not have passed," said Mary Ellen Icaza, Stark Library CEO and executive director. "We would not be able to provide the services that we are now providing to our community, and there would be significant, significant impacts." The eight-year levy is still active and represents 58% of the library system's funding. Icaza said property tax levies are the most lucrative way for the library system to raise funds. "The proposal, as it stands with the 60% required passage, I think it undermines the principle of majority rule in Ohio," she said. "It certainly would make it more difficult to pass any library levies." The Perry Township Fire Department passed a 4.9-mill replacement levy in November. According to official election results, the levy had 50.15% approval and passed by just 43 votes. Perry Township Fire Chief Larry Sedlock said the department relies on the property tax levy for the vast majority of operations. "We are a township; we rely heavily on property taxes," he said. While the idea of granting property tax relief sounds appealing, Sedlock said he does not see how the department could operate without those funds. "The money has got to come from someplace," he said. "I'm sure property owners such as myself would enjoy that relief, but I'm just not sure how they're going to go about it." Kevin Tobin, retiring superintendent of Lake Local Schools, said the proposal to raise the threshold is the latest in a series of attacks on public education in Ohio. "The simple majority rules today, and I don't understand why they want to go away from that," he said. "We're already under siege. It's just another weaponization against public education." 'Roller coaster': Stark County school districts facing uncertainty about state funding Public schools are dependent on property tax revenue. Tobin said it's put the burden on homeowners. "It is disheartening to know that we continue to just strap the backs of our property owners," he said. "The funding model is broken." But right now, there aren't any sufficient alternatives to levies, Tobin said. "Every district's got booster clubs, every district has academic boosters, every district is trying to raise money," he said. "Everybody's looking for alternative revenue streams to enhance our student experiences, because our income that we're getting from the state is not enough to do the things we do." Lake Local Schools passed a five-year, 9.5-mill levy in March 2024 after two previous attempts failed. It had 54% approval. "It took us three times to pass a levy that literally does not generate enough funds to do all that we would like to do for our children," Tobin said, "and that's frustrating." Tobin has been through the difficult process of constantly asking voters for new levies. Increasing the threshold would just make it harder, he said. "It is very difficult to go through a levy cycle and keep everybody positive and moving in the right direction," he said. "It is one of the more difficult things that you are asked to do as an educational leader." In the most recent election on May 6, all of the tax issues that were approved in Stark County passed with over 60% of the vote. The tax issues included a countywide replacement levy for Stark County Children Services, which passed with 62% approval and a Louisville Library District renewal levy, which passed with just over 60% of the vote. That was not the case for the Nov. 5 general election. There was a mixed bag of outcomes for tax issues in that election. Ten issues passed with under 60% approval, including a Lawrence Township police levy, which passed with over 56% approval, and the Perry Township fire levy. Here's how many issues would've been impacted from the last three years if the threshold to pass was 60%: May 2025 election: Two issues that were approved would have failed. November 2024: Ten approved issues wouldn't have passed. March 2024: Four approved issues wouldn't have passed. November 2023: Twelve approved issues wouldn't have passed. May 2023: Four approved issues wouldn't have passed. November 2022: Three approved issues wouldn't have passed. Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@ Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark leaders weigh in on proposed property tax levy changes
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council backs call for increased business levies
Hikes in levies paid to York's Business Improvement District (BID) are necessary in order to allow the business-led body to continue its services, events, and efforts to attract investment, according to a York Council report. It has also backed plans to expand the BID area by a further 10 streets, raising the number of levy-paying businesses to 974. Proposals drawn up by the BID's board would see annual levies rise from 1% to 1.6% of the rateable value of each eligible commercial property. A further 2% yearly increase would be applied to cover inflation, with a cap of £20,000-per-property. The report called BID's current financial framework "unsustainable" arguing it had not changed since 2016. An increase in levies, and expanding the BID's area to include more streets, would help fund essential services provided by BID, such as street cleaning, security personnel and cycle storage. The proposals by the BID board are set to be discussed by the council's executive on 3 June, ahead of a ballot on whether to renew the body's term for a further five years. BID members, including the council, are set to be balloted in October - with the new arrangements taking effect from April next year, if they are passed. Members will also be asked to endorse the BID's business plan - due to be drafted by late summer - which will set out its plans and priorities until 2031. Under new proposals, 10 new streets would also be added to the area covered by York BID, taking in those included in its Purple Flag safety campaign and other projects. They are: Blossom Street, Bootham, The Crescent, Eboracum Way, Esplanade Court, Frederic Street, Heworth Green, Layerthorpe, Marygate and Marygate Lane. The additions would increase the number of levy-paying businesses from 892 currently - which together contribute about £800,000-a-year - to 974 businesses. But the report stated business revaluations, which took place in 2023, lowered rateable values by £4.16m, compared to 2017 - meaning the overall amount of levies collected is expected to fall. Services provided by York BID include daily street cleaning, street rangers, taxi and riverside marshals and cycle storage, along with seating and floral displays. The body also helps to organise events, including York Restaurant Week, the annual winter illuminations, the Colour and Light display and Ghosts in the Garden. It also provides subsidised skills training for businesses, in partnership with York St John University, and monitors city-centre footfall, visitor numbers and spending data. The report stated the BID had invested £7.6m into York city centre since it was established, with footfall rising by 7.5% from 2023 to 2024. Shop vacancy rates were at their lowest rate in almost 18 months at 7.4% at the end of last year, under the BID's tenure, the report found. It claimed that progress would be jeopardised if the BID's term is not renewed and levy hikes do not go ahead. The report stated: "The current financial framework of the BID is unsustainable as arrangements have been in place since 2016. "The BID Board is clear that changes must be implemented to secure its operations for a further five-year term." The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted York BID for further comment. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Council tax bills to rise by £90 a year in city City's tourism tax a 'no-brainer' says councillor City of York Council Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
CNA
30-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
German digital ministry treads cautiously over online platform levy
BERLIN :Germany's new digital ministry said any levy on online platforms would have to be internationally coordinated and not result in higher prices for end consumers, in a sign on Friday of possible divisions within government over plans for such a tax. The Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer had said in an interview published on Thursday that officials were working on a levy which would hit platforms such as Alphabet's Google and Meta's Facebook. A levy of 10 per cent would be reasonable, he said - without specifying if this were a tax on revenue or profit. Germany's ruling parties agreed earlier this year to consider the introduction of a digital services levy, but this was not on the list of projects the coalition wants to prioritise. Weimer's proposal had not yet been agreed upon by the government, officials had said. "The decisive factors in evaluating such a levy are that it is designed in a targeted manner, is internationally coordinated and compatible with EU law, that any potential revenue benefits Germany as a hub for innovation, and that ultimately no higher prices are passed on to end consumers," a spokesperson for the digital ministry said. The proposal comes as Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to travel to Washington soon to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, although a trip has not yet been officially announced. Trump has in the past said he will not allow foreign governments to "appropriate America's tax base for their own benefit". Industry association Bitkom warned that the levy could lead to price increases that would impact businesses, public administrations, and consumers. "These price increases will hinder and slow down the urgently needed acceleration of the digitalization of public services and the digital transformation of companies," said Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst. "What we need is not more, but fewer financial burdens on digital goods and services."
