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Toledo voters appear to have approved the city's income tax renewal today — guaranteeing city officials can avoid massive police and firefighter layoffs for at least another four years.
County voters also said yes to all property tax requests on the ballot except in Providence Township, where voters rejected an additional levy, according to early results.
“It is a relief. I am very grateful we were able to make our case to the voters that this renewal is vital for our forward momentum, but it is just the first step in becoming an effective, efficient government,” Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson said after learning voters were likely to approve the city 0.75 percent income tax, which is part of the city's overall 2.25 percent payroll tax.
The mayor admitted she was nervous about the tax renewal, especially since voters handily shot down her request in March to hike the temporary tax to a full 1 percent. A rejection would have been devastating to the city, she said, since that 0.75 percent is expected to generate $56.9 million this year for Toledo's general fund. At least that much would have been cut next year from the city's already austere budget if it failed.
Hicks-Hudson administration documents showed the city would have had to lay off 260 police officers and 211 firefighters, plus close eight fire stations if the tax was rejected. The police and fire departments would each have had to slash $24 million from their 2017 budgets.
Voters across Lucas County also appeared to have approved six county-wide requests.
The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library asked for a five-year, 2.9-mill renewal property tax and 0.8-mill additional. The existing levy, which provides about 55 percent of the library system's operating funds, is not set to expire until Dec. 31, 2017. The renewal and additional 0.8-mill for the 3.7-mill levy will boost the library's annual revenue by about $6 million to nearly $26 million. The annual tax bill for the owner of a $100,000 home will rise by $29.31 from its current $87.50 for the 2.9-mill tax. The new annual total for the owner of a $100,000 home would be $116.81 starting Jan. 1, 2018.
Collection of the new 0.8-mill will begin in 2018.
The Toledo Zoo asked for renewal of a five-year, 0.75-mill levy, which was a decrease from the 0.85-mill now collected. The tax will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $22.97 per year, which is down $3.06 a year from the current tax.
Imagination Station asked for an early renewal of its five-year, 0.17-mill property tax, which expires at the end of 2017. The tax will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $5.21 annually.
Lucas County Emergency Services sought renewal of a five-year, 0.7-mill tax to maintain and enhance 911 emergency services and the county's communications systems. The tax will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $21.44 per year.
Lucas County Children Services asked voters to renew a 1.4-mill levy that expires in December and add 0.4-mill more. The agency's tax currently costs $42.88 annually for the owner of a $100,000 home. The new tax will add another $14 for a total $56.88 a year.
The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority asked for a 10-year renewal of its 1.5-mill levy. The tax expires next year but the transit authority exercised its right to request the renewal a year early. TARTA's 1.5-mill levy costs the owner of a $100,000 house $45.71 in annual tax and generates about $7.8 million annually. TARTA also collects a 1-mill levy from property owners in its service district, which includes Toledo, Ottawa Hills, Sylvania, Sylvania Township, Maumee, Waterville, and Rossford.
Not including several school issues, seven other levies were on ballots.
Jerusalem Township's five-year, 0.75-mill renewal for leasing land and updating, maintaining, and purchasing equipment for recreation facilities, was approved with more than 59 percent voting in favor.
Village of Berkey's five-year renewal of 3 mills for current operating expenses was approved with more than 70 percent voting in favor.
Richfield Township's three-year renewal of 2.5 mills for fire department salaries, buildings, and equipment and emergency medical services operated by the fire department was approved with more than 71 percent voting in favor.
Voters in Lucas and Fulton counties approved Swanton Public Library's five-year renewal of 1 mill for current expenses with more than 68 percent in favor.
Monclova Township's five-year renewal of 1.5 mills for police department salaries, buildings, and equipment and emergency medical services operated by police was likely to pass by a wide margin – at least 70 percent.
Springfield Township: five-year renewal of 1.8 mills for fire department salaries, buildings, and equipment and emergency medical services operated by the fire department was likely to pass by a wide margin.
Providence Township's five-year additional levy of 3 mills for construction and repair of streets, roads, and bridges in the township was defeated with 54 percent, 966 voters, against the tax.
One mill equals $1 of tax for each $1,000 of assessed property value.
Contact Ignazio Messina at: imessina@theblade.com or 419-724-6171 or on Twitter @IgnazioMessina.
First Published November 9, 2016, 3:55 a.m.
