In a move expected to benefit the city, its residents and businesses, Bryan’s taxpayers will file their income taxes with the Ohio Regional Income Tax Service (RITA) this year, not with the city.
In explaining the program to the city council during its Monday meeting, Bryan Clerk Treasurer Laura Rode said state tax law “seems to get more complicated every year,” and is RITA, which administers income taxes for 151 Ohio communities, as the state councilor able to handle the load more effectively.
Area communities that use RITA include Egerton, Ney, West Unity, and Whitehouse.
Rode said taxpayers can expect more tools and great access to customer service. She said she spoke to officials in several RITA communities, all of whom expressed their support for the program and said it was “an improvement for your city and your citizens.”
Officials said the biggest change for most taxpayers will simply be the address they send their taxes to. The service offers e-filing and e-payments.
Subject to approval by the RITA Council, residents will receive a package from RITA in the mail in July explaining how the program works.
In another action Monday, advice:
• Accepted a $ 100,000 donation from the Bryan Area Foundation for the Bryan Senior Center Parking Lot paving project.
• Approve the hiring of Katherine Seasman, James Bell, Alexa Dietsch, and Emma Shining as part-time seasonal workers at the municipal swimming pools.
• Approved a raise for volunteer firefighters Zakaree Merschdorf and Casey Sanders who recently graduated from a Hazardous Substance Engineer certification class.
• Accepted the resignation of Jerry C. Stollings as the city representative on the Williams County Board of Health. The council then accepted the appointment of Bruce Siders as Stollings’ replacement on the board.
• Heard from Mayor Carrie Schlade that there were no law enforcement issues regarding the city’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), which came into effect earlier this year. She noted that the DORA will be suspended during the Bryan Jubilee Festival downtown June 17-19.