County's sales tax receipts increase for 10th straight month

For the 10th consecutive month, Highland County's permissive sales taxes have increased over the comparable previous year months.

In a report this week to the Highland County Board of Commissioners, county auditor Bill Fawley said the news continues to be a pleasant surprise.

The September sales tax receipts (for July 2012 sales) were $499,390.48, compared to $477,925.99 from the previous year.

The August receipts were $461,342.61 (for June 2012), compared to $447,705.14 from one year ago.

"For the county to see $450,000 in sales receipts – with a 1.5-percent tax – that's $30 million in monthly sales," Fawley said.

Year to date, the county sales tax receipts are trending 8.04 percent higher than last year. From January-September of this year, tax receipts stand at $4,299,358.92, an increase of $320,088.94 from last year.

* * *

Southern Ohio War Memorial

• Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer heard a Sept. 19 presentation from U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. (ret.) Evan "Gene" Elliot regarding the proposed Southern Ohio War Memorial in just north of Lucasville on U.S Route 23 in Scioto County.

According to Elliot, the war memorial has been in the planning stages for more than a year and will include Highland, Adams, Clinton, Fayette, Jackson, Pike, Ross and Scioto counties in an eight-county region.

The memorial will be located on U.S. 23, approximately two miles north of Lucasville.

Elliot, who served in the military from 1944-74, said the memorial will be listing servicemen and women from the eight-county region who served from World War I to the present time and who have "given their lives for their country."

In addition, U.S. Purple Heart recipients from these eight counties will be named in another section of the memorial. Plans include a park area, picnic tables and a parking lot.

"We hope people will stop and spend some time at the memorial," Elliot said.

A groundbreaking has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Elliot said that the estimated cost of the project is approximately $750,000.

Wilkin asked what they were requesting from Highland County.

"We are not requesting anything," Elliot said. "We just wanted to include you. We will be accepting donations from area businesses."

Elliot said he was also meeting with the Highland County Chamber of Commerce and was hoping to have committee members from each of the eight southern Ohio counties.

For more information, call (740) 259-9188 or (740) 464-1749.

* * *

Firearms issue discussed

• John Eicher met with commissioners regarding firearms being prohibited at the Highland County Fairgrounds.

Eicher maintained – and commissioners agreed – the majority of the fairgrounds property is owned by the county.

Eicher referenced Ohio Revised Code Section 9.68(A): "The individual right to keep and bear arms, being a fundamental individual right that predates the United States Constitution and Ohio Constitution, and being a constitutionally protected right in every part of Ohio, the General Assembly finds the need to provide uniform laws throughout the state regulating the ownership, possession, purchase, other acquisition, transport, storage, carrying, sale, or other transfer of firearms, their components, and their ammunition. Except as specifically provided by the United States Constitution, Ohio Constitution, state law, or federal law, a person, without further license, permission, restriction, delay, or process, may own, possess, purchase, sell, transfer, transport, store, or keep any firearm, part of a firearm, its components, and its ammunition."

And 9.68(B): "In addition to any other relief provided, the court shall award costs and reasonable attorney fees to any person, group, or entity that prevails in a challenge to an ordinance, rule, or regulation as being in conflict with this section."

"People have the right to bear arms for their defense and security," Eicher said.

Eicher also stated that former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro had issued an opinion that Ohio county fair boards may not post signs restricting firearms on fairgrounds property – other than buildings – and concealed carry by licensed individuals is not prohibited there.

Eicher asked the commissioners if it was their impression the county owned the fairgrounds property (or the majority thereof).

"The county does own the fairgrounds," Wilkin said.

"(This) had been a point of controversy about patrols between the police and sheriff's department," Shaffer said. "We do own most of the property."

"On the sign removal, I have no idea," Wilkin said. "We'll have to ask our prosecutor."

"It's my assumption the Agricultural Society maintains and operates the fairgrounds," Shaffer said. "If we find the sign is wrong, we'll look into it."

"We will discuss this with the prosecutor (Anneka Collins) and follow her advice," Wilkin said.

* * *

Resolutions

Commissioners passed four resolutions Wednesday, all by 3-0 votes:

• A resolution for the Board of DD for an appropriation in S-39 (carryover balance) for $32,000.

• A resolution for Job and Family Services for a modification for Child Support Enforcement for August in the amount of $11,794.

• A resolution for the spay and neuter program for a $122 appropriation.

• A resolution to appoint local pilot Tyler Reno to the county Airport Authority Board.