League of Women Voters of Ohio
Hamilton County, OH November 7, 2000 Election
	Todd Portune Answers Questions Candidate for Commissioner; County of Hamilton; 4 Year Term Starting 1/2/01

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What role should Hamilton County Commissioners play in establishing a regional transportation system?

The Commissioners should play a supportive role and be willing to embrace the steps necessary to provide for a Regionally funded and administered transit system. I believe in regional passenger rail service extending the breadth of the County North, South, East and West using existing rail lines. This economical approach will allow bus service between communities and neighborhoods to be developed.

2. How would a county comprehensive long-range plan benefit county citizens?

Such a plan is the first step toward providing the links between communities in a positive way. It will eliminate inefficiencies in the delivery of public services and allow for positive economic growth and development to occur. It will also encourage the delivery of services such as sewers, water, transportation the like that know no jurisdiction bounds.

3. How would you expand the role/funding of the Tax Levy review Committee in include more careful monitoring of levy funds?

The Tax Levy Review Committee needs to ensure that all levies are placed only at the levels absolutely necessary. They should require the elimination of the Commissioners practice of siphoning interest money from levies for non-descript county General Fund purposes. They should require the Commission to rollback property taxes to pre 1999 levels committing the excess to the purposes of special levies, which will allow for reduction in property taxes and they should insist on monthly payments, which will further reduce property taxes by 7% per year.