Councilman Jack Powell argued against COIT, saying the money may be earmarked for public safety, but this did not represent additional public safety services. “It’s not a guarantee that this will increase the budget for public safety.”

Since current public safety costs are paid out of the general fund, Powell argued that city officials could take money previously allotted for public safety out of the fund, replace it with COIT money, and keep the public safety budget the same.

Courtney said he’d be against any vote that did not stipulate that all COIT money would be spent on public safety.

If Elwood votes in favor of the COIT, it can later establish a resolution dictating that all funds from the tax will be used for public safety and that the original public safety budget would remain in the general fund as well.

“I don’t believe we’ll take money out of public safety,” Mayor Taylor said.

Powell suggested that the council table the vote and said council members needed “more chance to do our homework.”

If Elwood approves the COIT, the tax would be implemented on Oct. 1 and Madison County taxpayers would immediately begin seeing deductions in their paychecks.

A meeting has been scheduled for Monday, Sept. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Elwood City Hall. The meeting will continue in its public hearing format and residents are welcome to attend and voice their opinions, Powell said.

Elwood’s council must vote on the measure by Sept. 16 or its inaction will count as a “no” vote and a new resolution will need to be proposed by Anderson or another Madison County community.

Greg Graham, chairman of the Anderson Board of Public Works, appeared before the council on behalf of Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon and urged the council to vote in favor of the measure. “I don’t like it either, because I pay it too. Doing what’s right for a community is not always doing what’s easy.”

What the towns will get

For 2009, COIT would provide each Madison County municipality with the following revenue amounts: