Councilman Wants Pledge To Hedge Against Higher Taxes

Berding Says Tax Hike Possible After Election

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati's budget crisis has been painful, but that hasn't stopped one City Councilman from promising not to raise taxes.

Jeff Berding said his stance reflects the widely held suspicion that city officials intend to push for higher taxes once November's election is over.

"They may not want to come out and say it publicly, but privately there's been a lot of talk about raising taxes," said Berding, who is seeking re-election.

No officials have proposed a tax hike, but City Manager Milton Dohoney suggested in July that higher taxes might be necessary.

"I'm promising you we have got to have a revenue conversation in November," Dohoney told an audience in Hartwell.

Berding, whose endorsement was recently rescinded by the county's Democratic Party, wants to have that conversation now.

He wants officials to pledge they won't raise property taxes or business taxes to balance the budget.

With the campaign underway and a $40 million budget gap to fill, the pressure for a clear stance on higher taxes is ramping up.

Republican City Councilman Chris Monzel wants next year's budget put online so any citizen can explore it.

"We just found out from (News 5) a few weeks ago that the Mayor spent $2,500 dollars on having a speechwriter from Cleveland help with the state-of-the-city speech," Monzel said. "I mean, that type of information should be at the fingertips of the public."

Berding said he wants City Council to vote on his anti-tax proposal in two weeks, and council members Monzel, Christ Bortz and Leslie Ghiz have signed on.