Voters say yes to Issue 1
Photos by Terry Gilliam
By Mike Wachman
Posted 08-05-09
The times may be tough economically, but that didn't dissuade Columbus
voters from approving the city's first income tax hike in 25 years on
Tuesday.
According to unofficial returns Tuesday night, voters have approved raising
Columbus' income tax rate by 0.5 percent. With all 528 precincts reporting,
51.7 percent of voters supported the increase, which means people who work
in Columbus will have to pay an additional $50 in taxes for every $10,000
earned.
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman said the increase was needed to prevent the
layoffs of several hundred police officers and firefighters, among other
cuts.
The beleaguered Southwestern City district wasn't quite as lucky, failing
in an attempt to revive extra curricular activities that ended at the
conclusion of the 2008-09 school year.
Issue 2 proposed an 8.3 mill operating levy, and was defeated by a scant
546 votes.
School officials said the levy was needed to help restore $4 million in
cuts.
The money would have brought back sports and other extra-curricular
activities for the upcoming school year.