Settlement proposed in Twin Cities tax-sharing dispute
UHRICHSVILLE (WJER) (Jan. 26, 2024) – Leaders in the Twin Cities may soon resolve their dispute over the income taxes from Claymont High School.
During Thursday’s Uhrichsville City Council meeting, Law Director Jeff Merklin gave an update on Dennison’s lawsuit against the city for stopping its share of the taxes under a longstanding revenue-sharing agreement. He’s in his fourth week on the job and doesn’t have all the background but believes settling out of court is in the city’s best interest.
“Since that case was started there was an Ohio Supreme Court opinion that was issued. In my opinion, if the matter had gone to a trial there was a very good chance that case would have been applied and made the agreement way back when legal.”
The two sides met with a mediator earlier in the day and ironed out a possible settlement agreement that still needs council’s approval.
“I would advise you right now that I think it’s a good idea to enter into it. There were three things I didn’t like about the first draft so I asked for them to be changed and nobody had any trouble on the other side.”
Uhrichsville is also being sued by a property owner over the ordinance requiring landlords to register and pay a yearly fee. That case is in the hands of Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court Judge Elizabeth Thomakos after both sides requested a summary judgment.