Question from Anonymous

Mr. Mayor why must you impose a tax increase to pay for hazardous duty, why don't you just request that Berea to become a third class city?

Steve Connelly answered:

I am not sure I understand your question. Being a particular class city does not generate revenue. What ever level city Berea is classfied, the city will have to have the money to pay for Hazardous retirement. That is the rub. Hazardous retirment brings with it a big money commitment. I have been told recently that it would cost over $200,000 at this time to pay for one year of hazardous retirement and the cost is expected to double by 2015. Therefore, a tax increase would be necessary to fund this never-ending commitment.