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Facts About the Proposed Income Tax Increase

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Akron voters will decide the fate of a proposed 1/4 percent income tax increase when they vote in the November 7 election. The tax increase would generate about $16 million annually earmarked for police, fire, EMS and roadway improvements. About one third of the money would be used to maintain current police staffing levels and to fund investments in equipment, including replacing more than 60 outdated police cruisers. Another third would be dedicated to maintaining fire and EMS staffing levels and to renovating or replacing several fire stations in disrepair. The final third would be used to pave an additional 43 miles of Akron streets each year.

The income tax increase would be Akron's first increase in 36 years, and it would offset $15 million in annual reductions of state tax-sharing revenue. The increase would raise Akron's income tax to 2.5 percent, which is consistent with most of Ohio's larger cities. The cost of the additional 1⁄4 percent income tax is $1.68 per week for a resident earning Akron’s median income of $35,000.

An income tax increase would not affect retirement or pension income, social security or other government benefits. Workers in the highest income brackets would pay more, workers in lower income brackets less, and those who are not working would not pay anything. Additionally, two-thirds of the funds raised through income tax collection would be paid by commuters who live in surrounding communities but work in Akron and use the city's roads and services.