To the Editor:

I encourage the voters of Oberlin to join me on May 6 in support of Issue 22, the income tax levy.

Issue 22 is a three-fifths of one percent income tax increase for 10 years for General Fund operations. The General Fund supports quality of life services, such as police and fire, streets and storm sewers, sidewalks, cemetery, parks and recreation and many other vital day-to-day services. Issue 22 will generate about $1.8 million to support these services and operations, replacing funds that the state of Ohio cut from local governments like Oberlin.

For those earning $50,000 per year, this works out to $25 a month in additional taxes. Because it is a municipal income tax, it does not apply to pensions, retirement funds or social security. While the governor and the state legislature can brag about balancing the state budget, they have done so by reducing and eliminating funding sources of local, public entities throughout the state and have not provided a source of replacement funding.

The city has done its part by cutting costs as much as possible and by not filling open positions; city employees have taken a three-year pay freeze and are contributing more toward their health insurance costs.

Reserve funds will make up the shortfall this year, but continuing down that path is not a sustainable option. Oberlin is not the first city in Ohio to explore an income tax increase, nor will we be the last, as the state has no intentions of restoring the funding they reduced and other funding they have eliminated.

I believe that the city has been a good steward of taxpayers’ funds, and if Issue 22 passes, we will continue to serve

residents wisely, providing quality services in an efficient and effective manner. If you have questions, email levy@ cityofoberlin.com, visit cityofoberlin.com/2014/levy.page or contact me at sbroadwell@ cityofoberlin.com.

Thank you,

–Scott Broadwell

Oberlin City Council President