Salem to wage community campaign for passage of income-tax increase

By D.a. Wilkinson

The chief said he’s close to having to recall an officer from a drug task force.

SALEM —The city needs more money if it is to keep up the quality of its roads and sewer system, Mayor Jerry Wolford said.

City council has approved placing a four-year, 0.5-percent income tax increase on the November ballot to pay for infrastructure improvements.

The tax increase, if approved, would bring in about $1.8 million a year for capital projects.

If approved, the revenue could only be used for capital improvements, such as road work and improving the city’s water and sewer systems.

Wolford said he will spell out, “what I want to achieve.”

The mayor said he would have fliers prepared, talk to service organizations and possibly have town hall meetings.

Without extra money for capital improvements, the mayor has said, the city’s infrastructure will decline.

He said the city may also try to bring in new businesses.

Police Chief Robert Floor said, “There is no good time to ask for a tax increase,” especially during the present sluggish economy,

But the chief said that his department has three positions unfilled following retirements or resignations. That’s a 15 percent reduction in the force.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.