No brainer: Save taxes or buy more bloated government?

As I pointed out here April 7th (Damn you, city treasurer, for wanting efficient government), the question of whether to farm out tax-collection services for the city is really a choice of whether to save taxpayers' money or save city union workers' jobs.

That was obvious from the get-go. Today the city treasurer, Robert Lehman, authored a column in The Advocate that expanded on the legitimacy and likely success of such a service and mentioned that 130 other municipalities in Ohio are already using this same collection service (RITA). He explained that this is not private company, not in some far-off country, but is regulated by Ohio law and is controlled by member municipalities.

Lehman said that under the current system, Newark will be forced to upgrade its expensive software within 1 1/2 years and also add two or three new employees.

By farming out tax-collection, the city would save $280,000 per year.

As The Advocate editorial endorsing this plan said, "... it would amount to a no-brainer in the business world."

It's pretty clear what's at stake for the citizens who rely on the office holders they've elected. Council should not have to be pushed or threatened or asked. They, with the backing of the Mayor, should just go ahead and do what's right.

We'll see how it goes. Will they vote for a savings of tax money, or will they vote for their employees' unions and more bloated city government?

We'll be looking back at the scorecard next election.