City officials, mayor kick off tax campaign

10/7/2004

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.