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Local voters are deciding whether to increase the city income tax rate by 0.25 percent for five years to reduce the backlog of street repairs.
The proposed income tax increase from 1 percent to 1.25 percent, effective Jan. 1, is expected to raise about $7.5 million over five years, all earmarked for street repairs.
It was the product of months of debates and failed votes on tax increases to pay for road repairs.
“Our roads have been bad for a long time,” said Councilman Stephen Kaiser. “It was like pulling teeth to get enough to just agree to ask the voters.”
Early voting has already begun to decide Issue 8 on Warren County ballots. The election is Nov. 3.
Voters have rejected various proposals to raise revenues for road repairs.
On July 27, the city council ended the debate by voting 6-1 to put the issue on the ballot. But no committee or group has so far is leading a campaign in support of the issue
“Nobody stepped forward to put money together,” said Kaiser, who is not running in November.
Meanwhile, Citizens for Responsible Spending, an anti-tax political action committee group in Warren County, reported $730.60 on hand in a June campaign finance expense report. It was unclear what issues the group would oppose this election.
In September and October, the city included information on the issue in mailers sent to utility customers. But it is barred from partisan stands on issues.
The city information includes a map of roads not scheduled for repair for lack of funds in coming years and encourages residents to take a tour. The information also lists Lebanon among the bottom rung among cities in Warren County in terms of income tax rate. The rates range from 2.0 in Franklin to 1.0 in Lebanon, South Lebanon, Morrow and Maineville.
There are no plans for any public meetings or information distribution before the election, according to City Manager Pat Clements.
The 0.25 percent increase would mostly affect non-residents who work in Lebanon.
Working residents who pay local income tax where they work outside the city are credited against local assessment.
But the city council has rejected calls to reduce or cut the credit for those paying where they work - a step taken by cities in Ohio, including neighboring Springboro.
The ballot issue also divides the three incumbents and three challengers running for three seats on the local council, according to responses to the newspaper's 2015 voters guide.
Incumbents Jim Dearie and Mark Messer voted to put the issue on the ballot and say they will vote for the issue.
While convinced the local roads are in disrepair, incumbent Matt Rodriguez, who put the issue on the ballot, and challengers Jeff Aylor and Kevin Robbins oppose the issue, according to the survey. Challenger Ray Miller III did not respond to the survey, but has indicated opposition.
Mayor Amy Brewer, who is also not running for re-election, said via email:
“The City’s revenue shortfall for road maintenance has been well documented for many years. Our residents have repeatedly told us in the customer satisfaction surveys that they are not satisfied with the quality of our roads, and this ballot initiative is an opportunity for voters to approve the resources needed to address this problem.”
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