SUBJECT:
Title
Erie Home Rule Charter: Recommendations on Self-Collection of Taxes, Council District Options, Campaign Finance Regulations, and Other Implementing Actions
Body
DEPARTMENT: Manager, Finance, Administration, and Town Attorney
Department
PRESENTER(S): Sara Hancock, Finance Director
Amy Teetzel, Administrative Services Director
Jennifer Flaherty, Magellan Strategies, Principal & Director of Redistricting Services
Hilary M. Graham, Assistant Town Attorney
Melissa Wiley, Deputy Town Manager
Patrick Hammer, Deputy Town Manager
Malcolm Fleming, Town Manager
First Name Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 150 minutes
only required for non-consent items
POLICY ISSUES:
* Whether to self-collect Town taxes instead of continuing to rely on the State for that service.
* What configuration of council districts will best reflect the Home Rule Charter requirements to "...recognize general election precincts and to establish contiguous and compact districts with due consideration given to equal representation and communities of interest."
* What campaign finance regulations should the Council adopt to reflect the Home Rule Charter requirements to require timely disclosure of all campaign contributions and spending.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Consider presentations and recommendations and then give staff direction on which actions and options Council wants staff to finalize for Council consideration at a later meeting.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Self-Collection of Taxes
As a Home Rule municipality, Erie may now self-collect sales and use taxes. There are pros, cons, and other considerations with self-collection. Staff will review these issues, but at this time staff recommends revisiting the concept in the 2026 budget process to:
* Research actual costs of software and possible administrative overhead (either internally or with consultation)
* Consider if any news taxes are on the ballot and there is a busines...
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