Residents approve streets levy

CHILLICOTHE – Residents in Chillicothe overwhelmingly approved an income tax levy to improve the condition of the city's streets during Tuesday's primary election that will now allow officials to focus their efforts on determining which roads will become a priority next year.

The streets levy passed with 1,764 votes in favor and 919 against, according to the Ross County Board of Elections. The 0.2 percentage point income tax increase for roads and alleys will generate an estimated $1.4 million a year beginning in 2016.

City Engineer Tom Day described the passage of the 10-year levy as a turning point for the city and said his department plans to assess city streets through a rating system to determine which streets will get improvements in 2016. The issue was one of two voters were asked to approve during the election; the other, a separate 0.2 percentage point income tax levy dedicated for safety forces, also was approved.

As a result of both issues being approved, the city's income tax rate will rise from 1.6 percent to 2 percent beginning in January. Before Tuesday's election, the city had not seen an income tax increase since 1992, and the change will mean someone earning an annual salary of $30,000 will pay an additional $120 a year in income taxes.

Mayor Jack Everson said he was pleased with the passage of both levies and thanked voters for their trust in city government. He added that the police and fire departments will get the help they need.

The entities plan to create a combined dispatch center and plan to reopen two fire stations on East Main Street and University Drive that were closed after a combined income tax for streets and safety forces was rejected in November. In addition, both departments plan to add up to seven individuals within their respective agencies.

"I'm certainly happy they both passed," he said. "I think they have the resources to move forward that they haven't had in a long time."

City Councilman Dave Tatman also thanked voters for their support, but noted the city must move forward and show people it intends on spending money appropriately.

"We gotta make sure we spend the money right and (the people) have spoken and we gotta take care of things," Tatman said. "It's all about taking care of Chillicothe."

He added: "They've given us the green light and we gotta make sure we do things right. I really do appreciate the people realizing we needed help."