Mary Alice Reporting –
Following disagreements and getting lawyers involved, a resolution has been reached in a tax sharing agreement between Uhrichsville and Dennison.
In 1998, both municipalities and the Claymont Board of Education agreed to split the income tax for Claymont High school, with 65% to the city and 35% to the village.
Previous Uhrichsville administration obtained legal counsel, who said that the over 20 year agreement was not binding and payments stopped in 2021. The matter went to mediation before the courtroom, and at one point, in 2023, a motion by city council narrowly passed to stop the hiring of a law firm. The matter was stalled and when new administration took office in 2024 mediations resumed.
Ahead of Uhrichsville’s regular Thursday session, Dennison held a special meeting to vote on a new agreement. Both entities passed it unanimously.
Mayor Jim Zucal noted that this matter was a priority.
“So, this is a very agreement for both communities and end this nonsense. I think of all the money that we could have spent on paving instead of attorney fees, so it’s a good day for both communities. We’re going to move on and let’s get back together and do good things.”
The city spent around $100,000 in attorney fees and the agreement will see the city paying back over $60,000 to the village over the next three years by giving over 1.75% in income and the city keeps .25%.
Dennison Mayor Greg DiDonato said that the lost money over the past few years would have gone to the general fund, which helps pay for all the service line items in the budget.
“It’s a new day and it’s time to really move on. This has been a waste of everybody’s energy. It’s really been a waste of tax payer money. It cost us $20,000 in legal fees. I appreciate Mayor Zucal and the members of Uhrichsville council for all of us coming together and getting this resolved and move on.”
Both also agreed that this resolution will pave the way for better relationship between the two municipalities.
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