Council Quick Takes: Failure to File City Income Tax Return Could Carry Stricter Punishment

North Canton City Council , and a stricter punishment for those who fail to file a city income tax return each year when they met in Tuesday night.

Council members discussed doubling the penalty for residents who fail to file their taxes by the mid-April deadline. That means the penalty could be raised from $25 to $50.

Council President John Snyder said the proposed change is spurred by those who habitually file their taxes late. As it stands, the fee is $25 and doesn't increase if the person files late again in the future.

"Maybe we'll get their attention at $50 and $100 thereafter," Snyder said.

Council-at-large Dan Griffith suggested the resident could owe a percentage of his obligation.

Council plans to place the ordinance on next week's agenda.

In other business:

• City Administrator Mike Grimes said he plans to update park regulations to forbid private parking. "This will give us a mechanism for those folks who park there overnight or just continually park in some of the small parks throughout the city, if we don't want them there or need the space we can have them move or we'll move it for them."

He also said he'll make two things more clear: that parks open at 5 a.m. and that use and possession of illegal drugs are banned.