Officials Declare Victory On Income Tax; District Concedes Issue 2

Unofficial results show that voters approve an income tax hike, while a much-debated operating levy for South-Western City Schools is rejected.

By: Donna Willis | NBC4i.com
Published: August 03, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Unofficial results show that voters approve an income tax hike, while a much-debated operating levy for South-Western City Schools is rejected.

RESULTS: Complete Election Results
YOUR THOUGHTS: Columbus Income Tax Increase
YOUR THOUGHTS: South-Western City Schools Operating Levy

The City of Columbus said it is facing a budget gap of $115 million. Unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections indicated that voters approved the half-percent income tax, raising the rate from 2 percent to 2.5 percent. Fire officials told NBC 4 that Issue 1 passed.

According to the results, there were 45,970 votes (51 percent) in favor of the issue and 42,943 votes (48 percent) against.

Under the income tax increase, Columbus workers would pay $50 more for every $10,000 they make. The increase goes into effect Oct. 1.

If the increase had failed, city officials said several city services would have been eliminated and hundreds of firefighters and police officers would have been laid off.

After failing at the polls in May, South-Western City Schools attempted to pass its operating levy again.

The levy failed with 16,055 votes (51 percent) against the issue and 15,344 votes (49 percent) in favor -- with 102 of 105 precincts reporting.

NBC 4‘s Candice Lee reported that shortly after 9 p.m., South-Western City School officials conceded Issue 2.

District officials said that if the levy failed, students would lose all sports, bussing, programs and jobs would be lost.

The proposed 8.3-mill operating levy would have lasted four years and homeowners would have paid an extra $254 in property taxes each year for every $100,000 of property value.

The levy would have raised $21 million for the area's second-largest school district.

Opponents of the levy in Grove City said they couldn't afford to pay more taxes. Some said they wanted parents to pick up a larger portion of the expenses for student activities.

But supporters said the community needed to get behind its kids.

For additional information, stay with nbc4i.com and NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail us at stories@nbc4i.com.
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video