OTTAWA, Ohio (WLIO) — The Putnam County Commissioners are moving to maintain the county’s current sales tax rate for another five years.
Putnam County’s total sales tax rate is 7%, with 0.25% dedicated to the county’s general fund. That quarter-percent levy is up for renewal and has been in place since 2001. The general fund supports county expenses, including personnel costs, vehicle purchases and maintenance, infrastructure, utilities and building upkeep. Commissioner Brad Brubaker said renewing the tax allows the county to fund major projects without taking on debt or increasing property taxes.
“We were able to do our EMS building project that we're doing now, which is for safety of the county of our EMS, our full time people that reside there for their shifts, we're doing a $6 million project. We did not have to go out and ask for additional property tax money for that, and we're not raising the sales tax either for that,” Brubaker said.
Commissioners will hold two public hearings March 26 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
