The Right Thing To Do
by Commissioner Mark Van Buren
October 13, 2008

The issue of taxes comes up frequently at my town hall meetings around the county and during my regular evening office hours. Residents wonder why it is more expensive to purchase items in Licking County compared to our neighboring Franklin and Fairfield Counties.

The county sales tax was raised in 2005, well before I took office; I never voted on the increase and neither did you. I spoke out against the increase during public hearings because I believed a half-percent increase was not needed and should not have been imposed on us.

Once I became commissioner, I felt it was important to wait before making a motion to lower the sales tax because I wanted to prove to myself that Licking County could provide the same level of services the residents deserve with less revenue and lower carryover funds in the budget.

After carefully reviewing financial information from the first three quarters of this year, I believe Licking County can and should give tax relief to citizens.

On September 15, 2008, I made the motion to lower the sales tax. Unfortunately, my motion failed for a lack of a second.

My fellow board member made the motion to reduce inside property millage by one million dollars; this motion passed unanimously. While this may not decrease taxes as much as lowering the sales tax would have done, it is a start.

I believe government must have the trust of the people and trust is built by being honest. Licking County has enough carryover funds to both allow for emergencies and to also give back to the residents of Licking County. History will teach us when any government has a large budgetary carryover, the size of the government will increase.

It is important for Licking County government to operate more efficiently and to save money. I have implemented changes in county policies that range from ones as simple as turning the light off in the supply closet to working on a cash flow schedule to assist the Treasurer in investing the County’s funds in longer term CDs to earn a higher rate of return on these investments.

I instituted many other changes which include the placement of log books in county vehicles, improved tracking of mileage expenses, purchasing more energy-efficient vehicles, updating our capital improvement schedule, increasing our liability insurance to limit our exposure, and stressing the need to forecast the budget two years out to have information necessary to make better fiscal decisions. I hold the county departments accountable in their spending because I believe Licking County must live within its means.

I enjoy my job working for all the people of Licking County and want to thank everyone for the opportunity. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via my website, www.CommissionerVanBuren.org, or at my office at (740) 670-5117.

 

Open Government is Important to All
by Commissioner Mark Van Buren
July 31, 2008

On January 10, 2008, I was sworn in as Licking County Commissioner, replacing Marcia Phelps. I thank everyone for warmly welcoming me. We are very fortunate to have the dedicated employees who work for our Licking County government. Over the last six months, which have passed by very quickly, many issues have had to be addressed along with the day-to-day operations of the county.

I would like to discuss an issue that is important to everyone - the openness of county government. During previous elections, I brought forward the importance of commissioners being accessible to the public and especially to the working public. This is why I am hosting evening office hours from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in my office on the fourth floor of the Licking County Administration Building.

This is a good time to stop by and speak with me if you have any questions or concerns or if you just want to introduce yourself and say hello. In today’s world of the information super highway, it is still good to put a face with a name.

I work for each and every one of you. With the high cost of gas, why shouldn’t I come and visit your neighborhood? I am preparing to hold a series of town hall meetings throughout Licking County. Watch your local newspaper for details or visit www.CommissionerVanBuren.org for a list of dates and locations. Please attend, ask questions, offer suggestions or just listen to your neighbors voice their concerns and insights.

There are many challenges facing Licking County today such as the Job Ready Site in Pataskala, water and sewer along State Route 161, and the Jacksontown sewer project, to name a few. These projects can be accomplished effectively as long as there is clear and open communication.

County finances are another important issue. I have always believed the citizens should have had the right to vote on the sales tax increase in 2005. Since becoming commissioner this year, I have spent a great deal of time researching county finances, gathering data and speaking with county officials.

I believe Licking County can and should lower the sales tax a quarter-percent. This would let hard-working citizens keep more of their own money, allow Licking County to stay competitive with neighboring counties, and would assure people they are not penalized by paying more when purchasing goods or services in Licking County.

In order to be open with the County’s finances, I have placed the county budget and the current sales tax revenues on my website. Please feel free to review this information.

If you have any questions, as always, please feel free to contact me via my website, www.CommissionerVanBuren.org, or at my office at (740) 670-5117. As a public servant it is an honor to serve you in our county, your voice is important to me. Thank you for your time and interest in doing what is best for Licking County.

 

 

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