Zach Upton and Debborah Wallace, two candidates for Beavercreek City Council, are listed as having attended meetings of the Beavercreek Earnings Tax Committee last year and both may have played an active role in the group’s affairs.


The group known as the Beavercreek Earnings Tax Committee led a failed effort to place a city income tax ordinance on the May 2007 ballot. Rather than collect signatures for a petition, the group attempted to pursuade City Council to place the group’s measure on the ballot. The Beavercreek City Charter prohibits City Council from enacting a city income tax, but it does not prohibit them from placing such a measure on the ballot. City Council rejected the measure following citizen compaints about improper procedure among other things.

But if Upton and Wallace are elected, some wonder if the measure may be revisited sooner rather than later given their close ties to the Beavercreek Earnings Tax Committee. While transcripts of the citizen group’s exact discussions are not available, it is clear from meeting minutes that both Upton and Wallace played an active role in the group’s efforts to enact a city income tax in Beavercreek.


According to the published minutes, Upton attended at least three of the group’s meetings and on one occassion moved for approval of the minutes from a prior meeting which shows he was more than just a spectator. During another meeting, according to published minutes, Debborah Wallace suggested a strategy that the presentation to city council emphasize the types if income that would not be taxed rather than those that would be taxed. At that same meeting she also volunteered to work with the city to determine what a home costs the city versus a business.

Story continues below advertisement

Upton was vague about his support for a city income tax at the recent candidate forum held by the Greene County League of Women’s Voters. Upton began by saying,”My political ideologies tell me that maybe we shouldn’t look at an income tax… however I look at the current situation and I see that we want to grow and we want to do other things, and I look at it and say an income tax or an earnings tax, however you want to phrase it, may be the best way to go.” Upton concluded by saying, “Would I support one? There’s a possibility, absolutely. Is there a possibility I wouldn’t? Sure, if it wasn’t worded right for what I felt and what the citizens felt were best for the City of Beavercreek.”


Upton’s campaign website, http://www.zachupton.net, is silent on the issue of his position regarding support of a city income tax.

Continued below advertisement

During the same candidate forum, Debborah Wallace was clear about her strong support for a city income tax and also mentioned that she was part of the group known as the Beavercreek Earnings Tax Committee.


In fact all candidates at the forum except one said they at least support the idea of placing a city income tax proposal on the ballot. Candidate Luke McKellar was the only candidate that said he did not. McKellar said, “I believe your income belongs to you. I support your ability to use your income as you see fit.” McKellar continued and made the argument that Beavercreek does not need a city income tax. McKellar said Beavercreek already provides an attractive environment for business citing Wright Patt, Wright State and the new office buildings going in. McKellar summed up by saying, “I think that Beavercreek should lead by example and not just pass an income tax or earnings tax because neigboring cities have one.We need to do what is best for this community.”

Support the Beavercreek Record by visiting these advertiser websites.