Although sales taxes, property taxes and income taxes get all the attention, the real estate transfer tax is another relatively recent tax that is used to fund local government at the county level. Prior to 1967, if you sold your home in the state of Ohio, you got to keep all of the proceeds–minus what […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
At tonight’s regular session of Marion City Council, the collective bargaining agreement between the city and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 379 was approved. Unlike in prior years, which were for three years, this contract was for one year and covers a term from 04/01/2026 to 03/31/2027. Submitted to council by Mayor […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
Following the Swamp Fox previous article here’s what the ole Swamp Fox was able to find in the newspaper archives regarding the contract negotiations between the City of Marion and the police and fire unions back in 2011. Most articles are dated but suffice it to say that they’re presented in chronological order and are […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
So what exactly did Republican candidate for Marion County Commissioner Jason Schaber say during the April 7th commissioner candidate forum that drew the ire of Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles? Here’s the question that came from an audience member: “Can you describe a specific time that you managed a budget exceeding $10 million and how […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
Remember that quote from Jerry McGuire? You know, “Show me the money!!!” The same could be said when it comes to the Marion County Commissioners. Show me the money!!! As you can see from the attached chart that gives a breakdown of the county’s General Fund revenues between 2009 and 2024–which comes directly from the […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
Whoever wins the May 5th Republican primary for Marion County Commissioner will receive a handsome salary of $81,150 in 2027, $85,208 in 2028, and $89,468 in 2029–plus generous benefits! According to the Federal Reserve, the median household income in Marion County in 2024 was $63,276. I don’t know about you, but I think this commissioner […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
Just how much money is involved in a Marion County Commissioner primary? Well, here’s the campaign finance figures from the last Republican commissioner primary race, which was held back on 03/19/2024. I’d show the numbers for the Dems, but they didn’t run a candidate that year (or this year). The top three contributors for each […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
Back in March 2024, there were two seats open on the Marion County Board of Commissioners. longtime Republican incumbent Andy Appelfeller was challenged by Tim Mooney, while incumbent Kerr Murray was challenged by Kevin Davidson and Jason Schaber. As you can see from the results, Appelfeller retained his seat on the board, defeating Mooney by […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
During last night’s Marion City Council committee meetings, the guest speaker was a representative of Flock Safety, the company that supplies the city and county’s 34 license plate surveillance cameras that have been in place since 2023. The contract with Flock will be expiring this year and with both the city and county facing substantial […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
You asked for it, so the Swamp Fox delivered it! Here’s a breakdown of the contributions received by the campaign committees of Marion and Morrow county’s state legislators. Keep in mind that both OH state senators and OH state representatives are currently paid an annual salary of $73,609.00. Reineke, as the president pro tempore of […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
In addition to putting the pressure on State Senator Bill Reineke (R-26th District), who represents both Morrow and Marion counties, and State Representatives Riordan McClain (R-87th District) and Tracy Richardson (86th District), be sure to put some sustained political pressure on the commissioners of Morrow and Marion counties between now and October to get them […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
For all of you living in southwestern Morrow County and southeastern Marion County, who are at risk of losing your homes and your way of life as a result of this highway, here’s your current and future Ohio State Representatives: Riordan McClain and his daddy, Jeff McClain. Father and son McClain both reside in Wyandot […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
By now, most of you have probably heard about the state of Ohio’s plan to construct a new highway that connects I-71 at Marengo in Morrow County with US-23 north of Waldo in Marion County. This whole scheme, which will likely result in the state using eminent domain to confiscate the homes and land of […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
The Swamp Fox’s pointy little fur covered ears were burning tonight, as he heard his name brought up during budget discussions at the regular session of Marion City Council. A courageous citizen addressed council and asked why the city’s proposed expense budget for 2026 actually increases expenditures over 2025 instead of cutting them by the […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
Here’s a rundown of the property tax levies that will appear on the ballot in Marion County on May 5th. If you live in Marion Township, Waldo Township, Richland Township, or Pleasant Township, your respective fire departments all want more money. It’s like the Notorious B.I.G. said, “Mo Money, Mo Problems.” Well, that’s true for […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
The ole Swamp Fox has been digging deep into the budgets for each of the city of Marion’s departments, so don’t think that he’s picking on the police or doesn’t “Back the Blue.” Underneath that furry coat of red and white, he’s got a blue stripe tattoo to show his support for those who protect […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
Following the recent resignation of the city’s Director of Public Service, Mike Bodine, and in an effort to save money and increase efficiency during this period of fiscal distress, the city’s Director of Public Safety, Rob Cowell, has been suggested for the appointment of the newly reconsolidated position of Director of Public Safety & Service. […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
The Elephant and the Jackass have taken their turns controlling Marion City Council over the past century, as you can see from this chart that I created showing the political affiliation of the nine elected Marion City council members from 1926 to 2026. Back in Marion’s heyday at the turn of the prior century and […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
At this point, the city of Marion has proposed three budgets for 2026–with another one being proposed in Finance Committee at tonight’s meeting. There has been a lot of talk about cuts and fee increases, given the city’s present status of fiscal distress, but has the budget really been reduced compared to 2025 as has […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
Finding itself in fiscal distress, the city of Marion is faced with some difficult choices, being pressured by the Ohio Auditor of State to either fix the financial mess on their own or else the state of Ohio will take over management of the city. Among the city’s fiscal challenges is an $8.9 million dollar […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
With the city of Marion currently considering the elimination of the 100% income tax credit provided to city residents who work elsewhere and pay income taxes to another municipality, now is a good time to share the story of how Marion came to have an income tax. Prior to the 1st of June 1959, if […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
The Swamp Fox has already posted about this topic–many weeks ago–so it isn’t exactly breaking news at this point–but it’s just now getting the attention of Marion residents, so here he goes once again. Let’s start with an example, using a hypothetical Marion man named John. John lives in Marion but works in Crestline. Both […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
A little political satire never harmed anyone. Average Ohioans don’t want Big Money buying off its politicians. Average Ohioans don’t want Big Business building behemoth data centers that have an unquenchable thirst for energy and water, all the while getting tax breaks from their stooges in Big Government. They get tax breaks, water and energy […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
The Swamp Fox has broken it all down for y’all, after analyzing the campaign finance reports filed with the Ohio Secretary of State, so be sure to check out those charts for all the potentially swampy details! This position will represent all of Union County as well as Prospect, Pleasant and Marion Townships–including the city […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
Richwood village council just voted to demolish the village’s historic former town hall and opera house. The historic structure was recognized by an Ohio Historical Marker in 2003, which reads: Side A: The Richwood Opera House and Town Hall was erected in 1890 as a community center designed to house the town council chambers, fire […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
Kent Halloran, who has resided in the city of Marion since 2022 and recently ran an unsuccessful campaign as a write-in candidate for one of the at-large positions on Marion City Council, has announced that he is running in the Democratic primary for the 86th District State Representative position currently held by Republican Tracy Richardson. […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
We’ve got some swampy shenanigans orchestrated by some sour socialists going on in the race for the State Rep of the 86th District, folks–and the Swamp Fox ain’t having it! Wezlynn Davis, a conservative candidate in this year’s Republican primary, previously challenged incumbent Tracy Richardson, who currently holds the seat but cannot run for re-election […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
Marion Area Transit, as you may or may not know, receives most of its operational funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in the form of grants. These ODOT grants reimburse the city for most of its costs associated with transit. If you look at the city’s most recent financial audit, from the year […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
As the city of Marion looks into the replacement of current city auditor, Miranda Meginness, the question arises as to who will be her replacement. The auditor has many responsibilities, serving as the city’s chief fiscal officer. The auditor handles the city’s books, accounts for revenues and expenditures, completes internal audits, oversees the income tax […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
As Republicans in north central Ohio look to the upcoming gubernatorial primary, which will see Vivek Ramaswamy up against Casey Putsch and Heather Hill, I think it’s appropriate to look back to the last primary, which saw Governor Mike DeWine challenged by Joe Blystone, Jim Renacci and Ron Hood. DeWine, who epitomizes Republican-In-Name-Only (RINO) policies, […]