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Columbus proposed tax increase on August ballot
On May 11, Columbus City Council voted to place a 0.5 percent tax increase on the Aug. 4 ballot.
If approved, the measure would raise the city's income tax percentage from 2 percent to 2.5 percent.
City officials maintain that passage of the tax increase is essential in order to provide police, fire, health and other basic neighborhood services. They stated the 0.5 percent increase is a key part of the city's long-term plan to sustain the quality of life in Columbus through new jobs, government reforms and new revenue.
In the face of the rocky economy Columbus officials have cut the city's civilian workforce by 30 percent, spent $67 million less than budgeted and cut $155 million from what would have been business as usual since 2001.
However, the Economic Advisory Committee stated the city must have new revenue. Most of the proposed 0.5 percent increase of the city income tax would be paid by commuters who work in the city.
City officials have stated the proposed tax hike would result in an increase, for a middle class Columbus household making $40,000 a year, of a little less than $17 a month.
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