To the Editor:
We need to look at where we are today. Doesn’t it scare you that we have a financial problem in Carroll County?

Some will benefit when holiday shoppers decide to spend their hard-earned cash. However, how many of them will be shopping outside Carroll County? A majority of shoppers will venture outside the county and spend their money on the items they are looking to purchase because they cannot obtain them in Carroll County. These same shoppers are the ones who will be feeding another county’s tax base instead of feeding our own. On the other hand, many people have pulled back on everything but the necessities.

With fingers crossed and store shelves stocked, retailers are preparing for a holiday season that might not break any local record and they may also be hoping it won’t be a train derailment leaving them with a great amount of inventory after the holiday season.

Of you have been reading the local paper, you will have read Carroll County is attempting to slide by on what funds there are in the general fund. Every year it seems the funding amount has dwindled from the year before. It has been mentioned numerous times to shop locally. The question is, what can we buy locally that will support the county tax base?

Take a view of what you purchase outside of Carroll County and look at your sales receipt. Check the tax you paid on your purchase(s) and take a moment to ponder about the money that just left Carroll County. I admit there is tax money spent in this county from other counties, however, I believe the latter is no where close to the money going to the outside.

Here is a thought to think about. On a figure of population in Carroll County of 28,439 people in 2008, if every person spends $100 in sales tax outside the county for an entire year, then would not feed Carroll County $2,843,900 to the state and then the county share. The percentage Carroll County would receive would be gone.

Here is another thought. It is time to bring more business to Carroll County and it is time to support what businesses are in the county. Spend money in the county and keep the tax money in the county.

Edward L. Hale
Carrollton, OH

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