Published: 10/7/2004

City officials, mayor kick off tax campaign

Backed up by more than two dozen city directors and other employees, Mayor Jack Ford yesterday helped kick off the campaign to renew Toledo's 0.75-percent income tax.

The current tax, which raises about $52 million a year, was set to be renewed in November, 2005. But Toledo City Council decided to put the tax on the Nov. 2 ballot to get voter approval for a change in how the tax is distributed.

Currently, two-thirds of the revenue goes to the general fund, with one third going to capital improvements. The revised formula would send five-sixths of the revenue - a shift of up to $8.75 million - to the general fund.

Council Finance Committee Chairman George Sarantou emphasized the tax is not an increase. The 0.75-percent income tax was first enacted in 1982, and has been renewed by voters six times since then.

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