Here are answers to the some of the comments and concerns we've heard about voting No on Issue 12.

No, we don’t have to raise taxes. Gahanna should be proud to be a low tax community. This is an honor and a unique selling point for both businesses and residents. When we look at the money taken out of a community through taxes, it’s difficult to see where that money actually goes.
With low taxes businesses have a better opportunity to flourish and succeed in Gahanna than in other cities. Employment grows and businesses thrive in this amazing community. Thereby continuing growth for Gahanna as a community. (And city tax revenue goes up also.)
Residents of Gahanna are better positioned to prosper and thrive in our neighborhoods.
Everyone acknowledges how hard it is to start a business or a new family, but the impact taxes have on quality of life and ability to grow are consistently overlooked.

That is not true. Gahanna has sufficient revenue to continue normal operations for city safety, parks and services. The additional funds being sought are for new projects, services and personnel. Source: City of Gahanna, Meeting Minutes, Finance Committee, Monday, December 10, 2018
After Issue 29 failed to raise the income tax for the third time, Mayor Kneeland submitted a balanced budget to City Council with modest cost reductions that did not include a tax increase. City Council ignored the proposed budget. Instead of discussing that budget, members demanded $2 million, and then $3 million dollars in cuts across the board. City Council proceeded to hold numerous budget meetings beating the drum that the proposed budget cuts would impact parks, pool and potholes. Understandably many residents were upset and vocal about the new cuts. Let’s not forget that these budget cuts originated from City Council. Not Mayor Kneeland. Not the residents or businesses. It’s all from City Council. Source: City of Gahanna, Meeting Minutes, Finance Committee, Friday, January 11, 2019

This is not true. There is nothing in the Issue 12 ballot language that surrenders the power of administrating the tax code on Gahanna residents. This means that this city council, or any future city council, can adjust the tax credit as they see fit at any time after following the rules for meetings and announcements. Source: Gahanna City Charter, Municipal Code, Ballot Language for Issue 12

"Yes. Among many meetings, that several of us have sat through, I was in attendance when Metzbower told Kneeland to "research" cutting an additional $2 million from an already balanced budget, and I saw Mr. Kneeland's face as he acknowledged the request. That moment best informed me why Tom Kneeland declined to run for reelection." - Michael Sweeney

No, we don’t. Over the past years the city has used bonds and grant money to augment the city budget for new projects and double-up maintenance and repairs. With the overtax lawsuit hanging over the city, grant and bond money is scarce or unavailable at all. Worse, all borrowed money still needs to be paid back. Any surplus that money created in the past is a burden in the future. What City Council doesn’t want you to know is that Gahanna has sufficient revenue to continue normal operations for city safety, parks and services. Mayor Kneeland has provided a balanced budget with modest cost reductions. All revenue projections provided by City Council show tax revenue is going up under our current tax rate. Mayor Kneeland did his job and balanced the budget without an increase. Source: City of Gahanna, Meeting Minutes, Finance Committee, Monday, December 10, 2018

Nothing is further from the truth. We love and support Gahanna and all the great things that make up our community. It can be so tempting to just raise taxes and start wish lists. However, residents move here for lots of different reasons, low taxes among them, schools and charm of the community. Gahanna is a wonderful, generous, friendly town with great heart. Everyone is touched by how forgiving and kind our neighbors are with each other. We have worked closely with our neighbors to provide our schools, neighborhoods and community with resources for everyone. It’s amazing to see how giving Gahanna residents can be when they know the money they give is going for good and there is trust. If we need money for specific projects we can find ways to raise that money that is not a burden on those who cannot afford it. We know that we can find a balance that works for everyone.

No. Only City Council get’s what they want. Raising taxes takes money out of someone's mortgage, rent, and food out of refrigerators. That's lunch money, birthday gifts and the difference between buying new shoes and hand-me-downs. The difference between full bellies and barely making ends meet. Money that would have gone to shops and charity will go out of town to construction companies and debt payments. There will certainly be high profile city jobs that will be created, but how many businesses will not add employees or move out of town. Is that really the image we want for Gahanna?

Do we want Gahanna to be another cookie cutter community with the same problems as every other suburb? We need to invest wisely in what makes Gahanna special and a great place to live, fall in love and raise a family.
We advocate for finding a balance that doesn't burden residents and businesses alike with additional taxes, a sustainable Gahanna that doesn't tax everyone to the point of leaving. We can choose carefully between the things we need and then donating and volunteering for the things we want. This is the healthy and neighborly way to grow a community.

Gahanna does not have a budget crisis, we have a patience crisis.