09/28/2026
Hi everyone,
I have been taking the Ambassador Academy through Engage Toledo to learn more about city operations in order that I can share my knowledge with you. Last week we met at Station 6 firehouse where we had first responders talk about fire safety, and get a tour of the fire station, see the K-9 patrol in action, the swat team, and narcotics unit. They mentioned the upcoming 1/4% safety tax that is on the ballot. I support our firefighters, paramedics, and police officers and the realities of a defeat of the tax may mean staff cuts, more overtime to cover the staff cuts, and longer response times. I am not fully onboard with this tax proposal.
Since 1982 Toledoans have paid into a 3/4% income tax in addition to the 1.5% permanent general fund income tax. The 3/4% tax was to be temporary but after 44 years it is something we vote on every four years The revenue from the 3/4% tax makes up 1/3 of the budget. It generates $55M. Since 1982 there have been newer technologies like drones, flock cameras, doorbell cameras, and surveillance cameras in public areas. Before passage of this tax there has to be a determination on how the additional funds are to be spent and there needs to be metrics to measure how effective some things are like the interruptor program. I would like to see more money going towards agencies and faith based groups to teach youth how to make good choices, handle peer pressure. and role play real life scenarios. Too often youth get involved with gangs or resort to violence to solve their problems and then spend time and resources in our criminal justice system. I would like to see youth involved in extra curricular activities or joining a club than to join a gang.
This is not to say that our first responders don’t need more money. Whoever our next governor is and our state representatives are, we need to have the state restore funding of public safety at the local level. In these hard times we all are experiencing right now many would like to not have to pay more of our hard earned dollars,
Why is the city proposing a separate 1/4% temporary income tax and not just ask to increase the 3/4% tax to 1%? If the 3/4% tax were to ever fail how would the $55M revenue hit be made up? If the temporary tax were to become part of the general fund on a permanent basis it would help the city’s bond rating. Because it’s up for a vote every four years with a chance of defeat, wouldn’t it be better just to ensure the revenue source doesn’t get cut?
I am against throwing money at a problem unless we can determine need and measure how effective the money spent is doing and where it is going. We can’t underestimate the importance our police and firefighters play in serving, protecting, and making us safe. You can’t put a dollar value on public safety.
