12-02-2025
Fight over bed tax continues
Feb. 12—JEFFERSON — The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners will vote on a resolution opposing Senate Bill 43 next week.
The bill was brought up by Commissioner Casey Kozlowski at a Tuesday work session.
Ohio Senate Bill 43 is co-sponsored by Ohio State Senator Sandra O'Brien, who represents Ashtabula County, and would eliminate the 2% bed tax for the Ashtabula County Convention and Facilities Authority.
Kozlowski said between $600,000 and $700,000 a year would be lost if the tax was eliminated.
"There is a real potential to put these funds to good use," he said.
Kozlowski said the money from the tax has a lot of potential to be used for promoting county tourism.
The commissioners were not consulted on the bill before it was proposed, Kozlowski said.
The other commissioners agreed to consider the resolution.
O'Brien said previously the bed tax is without a purpose now the debt on the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake has been paid off.
Kozlowski said the county will seek recoupment from Mark Gutman's estate for the cost of recent animal rescue.
Gutman was operating a fur and urine farm on his property. After his death in December, hundreds of animals were found on the property.
County, state and national organizations were involved in a rescue operation.
The commissioners will meet with the county prosecutor's office on the matter, Kozlowski said.
County Administrator Janet Discher said they have not tallied how much reimbursement the county is due yet.
The commissioners approved a grant from the Direction Home of Eastern Ohio for the Ashtabula County Job and Family Services.
Job and Family Services Transportation Supervisor Julie Carlo spoke to the commissioners about it.
The grant will fund 4,182 bus or other transport rides for county residents 60 and older.
A statment from Carlo said she requested $37,472, with a 15% local match.
"It is essential for us to receive this funding, so we can continue to meet the needs of Ashtabula County residents," the statement said.
Ashtabula County Coroner's Office Chief Investigator and Administrator Amber Stewart spoke at the meeting, and said she was interested in a new vehicle for the office.
"This is [for] the employee that's driving her personal vehicle," she said.
Stewart said she had quotes on some vehicle options.
