Warren residents to decide income tax

WARREN — City voters will be asked during the Nov. 6 general election whether they want the city income-tax rate at a permanent 2 percent.

Although the ballot will read that the 0.5 percent issue is an “additional” tax, it has been levied on a temporary basis for three years.

“It’s a renewal,” said Mayor Michael J. O’Brien, noting it won’t cost taxpayers any more money.

“It’s critical to the city [that is pass],” O’Brien said, noting it brings in $4.6 million annually to the general fund.

In 2004, the 0.5-percent lost in the March primary balloting but received voter approval in the August special election as a temporary measure.

If the issue fails Nov. 6, it expires at the end of the year. This would open the possibility of placing it on the ballot again. Even if it passed in 2008, the city would have lost revenue, officials noted.

If the issue is turned away by voters, O’Brien and Service/Safety Director William “Doug” Franklin said, services will be cut.

Two of the three fire houses will be closed and the number of officers patrolling the streets will be reduced. In addition, other city services supported by the general fund will be negatively impacted.

For more, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com