Toledo voters in Lucas County, Ohio were set to decide Tuesday on Issue 16, a quarter-percent income tax increase that city leaders said could avert 73 layoffs. Abby Arnold said the current budget projections include those layoffs if additional revenue is not secured, and any budget change would still need Toledo City Council action after the election.
City leaders said Issue 16 would generate about $25 million annually over the next four years, with the money restricted to public safety efforts. They said the levy would support expanding police and fire recruit classes, gang enforcement initiatives and more residential traffic enforcement.
Abby Arnold and Toledo City Council
Arnold, Toledo's deputy mayor, laid out the staffing risk at a Toledo City Council Finance Committee meeting on Oct. 28. City administration officials said roughly half of the potential layoffs would come from police and fire, placing the tax vote directly over staffing levels as well as the pace of recruit classes.
Joe Cira, president of Toledo Firefighters Local 92, said the department was already under pressure. He said there were no spare engines or medic units available, one ambulance in west Toledo had been out of service since last week, and crews recently operated 10 firefighters below minimum staffing levels over the weekend.
George Sarantou on youth programs
George Sarantou said the discussion extended beyond police and fire because city leaders also identified youth programs, city pools and other services as possible reductions if the levy failed. He said youth programs help keep young people engaged during the summer months and added, “If you don't have a safe city, I don't know how you'd be a great city.”
Sarantou also said, “People are asking, why is this such a problem now? Well, it's because our state has let us down for 18 years and it's caught up with us,” and said Toledo had lost $288 million each year over that period.
Taure Williams and Wendy Owens
The ballot question also drew sharp responses from Toledo voters. Taure Williams said, “If it's keeping our community safe and us safe... I would not have a problem at all. Take that out of my check, please do.” Wendy Owens said, “I pay enough taxes. No more taxes.”
City leaders said the cuts discussed were only potential scenarios and that no final decisions had been made. If Issue 16 failed, the city would still need Toledo City Council to act on any final budget changes, leaving the vote as the first step in deciding whether Toledo moves ahead with layoffs or keeps those positions funded.
