PEMBERVILLE, Ohio —
For the first time in decades, Pemberville community members will find an income tax levy on their ballots.
The last time an income tax levy went into effect in Pemberville was 1976, according to Mayor Carol Bailey. After almost 50 years, village administrators are now worried that the general fund is running too low.
There is currently a 1% income tax for residents, and the proposed measure is asking for a 0.5% increase.
The village got rid of reciprocity in 2006, according to Bailey, so residents have not experienced any sort of income tax increase for almost 20 years.
The village's income tax fund is split 60% into the general fund and 40% to permanent improvements.
Bailey said the general fund has been eaten up by increased expenses.
Pemberville's fiscal officer, Sarah Abbott, said adding an income tax levy to the ballot has been talked about for 10 years. But this year it became clear the village needed a change.
"We're actually eating into projected revenue," Abbott said. "We're not necessarily using revenue that we have sitting in a savings account. We're actually using revenue we're expecting and hoping to receive within that year."
Abbott said when looking toward next year, she is projecting that the general fund would start with a balance of $180,000.
"Our police budget is about $200,000," Abbott said. "So that goes to show right there, there's the surplus that is just gone."
Getting roads repaired is one thing Bailey said she would want to see done, but right now that just can't happen.
If passed, the income tax would go toward rebuilding the general fund, with the hopes of making it a 50-50 split between the general fund and the permanent improvement funds.
Abbott said the increase in funds could allow for infrastructure projects, like fixing roads, to start.
Bailey said she knows other villages are seeing increased expenses and so are households, so it was not an easy decision to ask voters for more money.
"It's a horrible thing to have to go back and ask your voters for money," Bailey said. "But we haven't done it in forever."
If the levy doesn't pass next week, the village administration will try again in May, according to Bailey.
"We'll present the voters with a list of things that probably will cease to exist or be cut back," Bailey said.
Bailey said she does not want to see village amenities change, but things like leaf and brush pickup could be the first things to go.
Pemberville residents will see four other levies on the November ballot, including two renewal levies for Freedom Township and one replacement levy for the Pemberville Public Library. A renewal tax levy for Wood County's alcohol, drug addiction and mental health services board is also on the ballot.