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Published October 27, 2009 07:53 am - ANDERSON, Ind. — The Madison County Council cast the deciding vote to increase the county option income tax, or COIT, in a heated meeting Monday night. Both the Anderson and Alexandria city councils previously approved a motion to increase the COIT, and the measure needed only the support of the county council to pass. Tax increase gets final approval County passes COIT in 4-3 vote By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer ANDERSON, Ind. — The Madison County Council cast the deciding vote to increase the county option income tax, or COIT, in a heated meeting Monday night.
Both the Anderson and Alexandria city councils previously approved a motion to increase the COIT, and the measure needed only the support of the county council to pass. On Monday, that support came from Madison County Council members Bill Savage, Larry Higgins, Buddy Patterson and John Bostic. Council members Larry Crenshaw, Mike Phipps and Gary Gustin voted against the increase. All three council members said they felt more cuts could have been made to the county budget before considering the tax increase. The COIT will now increase from 1.25 percent to 1.75 percent. Anderson City Controller Karen Carpenter said the tax increase will cost someone earning $40,000 an additional $200 a year. Before the votes were cast, the County Council held a public hearing that led to cheers, jeers and occasional police intervention. Refusing to adhere to the 2-minute time limit on public comments, former mayoral and state representative candidate Rob Jozwiak was asked to leave the podium numerous times, requiring an Anderson police officer to escort him from the speaking post. Jozwiak returned to the podium numerous times with the officer standing close by. He said the 2-minute time limit is used by the council to shut down dialogue. “You’re a thief and a liar if you vote for this,” Jozwiak warned council members. After a member of the audience put his hand on Jozwiak’s chest when he shouted at Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon, Jozwiak said he was being threatened by the Anderson fire and police departments. At the close of the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the meeting as the crowd said “and justice for all,” citizen Raymond Goodson called out “and excessive taxes.” The audience, made up of area firefighters and their families mixed with those opposed to the tax took turns addressing the council before the vote. 
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