DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) — Voters in Delaware this election cycle are deciding whether their income tax will increase or not.
Issue 3 is a proposed income tax levy. Some signs urging residents to vote yes on it are posted around town.
“Why is that on the ballot, that is to bring in funds to pay for capital improvements or more importantly infrastructure,” said Paul Brake, City Manager of Delaware.
If passed, Issue 3 would generate about $7.6 million a year. Brake said it would go towards road work and other capital improvement projects like the Jack Florance Pool at Mingo Park.
“Very careful thoughtful process in putting together a proposal, a rather modest sort of increase that will change the look and how we provide services in the future,” Brake said.
Issue 3 would raise the income tax from 1.85% to 2.3%.
“I really don’t like that because I’m struggling to pay off some debt of my own and it’ll make it a lot harder, so, but I mean if it happens it happens I guess,” McKenzie Decker said.
Decker also said she travels around town a lot and doesn’t have any big problems with the roads. Back in March, Delaware voters decided against a similar levy which would have brought the income tax to 2.2%,
“I guess they’re trying really hard, people didn’t like it the first time, I don’t know if it’ll work the second time,” Decker said.
This time around there is also a tax credit involved for those who live in Delaware but work elsewhere. That’s about 80% of residents, according to the city. Brake said the current credit for those people would go from 50% to 65%. The city has created a calculator where residents can figure out what they’d be paying in taxes if Issue 3 passes.
“This is an important issue, I guess you have to ask yourself what do you want the city of Delaware to look like in the future,” Brake said.
Brake recently wrote a letter to residents explaining Issue 3. It also said if Issue 3 fails, city council intends to get rid of the tax credit.
