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MARTINS FERRY -- Martins Ferry City Council met in special session Friday morning and voted to place a city income tax increase on the Nov. 7 ballot.
All council members present voted in favor of the issue that would raise the tax from 1 percent to 2 percent. Tom Burns, councilman at large, was absent from the meeting.
"This is only the ordinance to put this on the ballot, not to put the tax in, just to put it on the ballot," President of Council Kristine Davis explained.
A majority of registered voters would have to vote to increase the income tax during the Nov. 7 general election for the change to take place. Council unanimously voted to instruct the Belmont County Board of Elections to place the issue on the ballot.
Councilman Robert Hunker clarified that if voters choose to increase the income tax, the legislation would not go into effect until Jan. 1.
"Please remember that this does nothing for this year," he said.
Auditor Jack Regis estimates that if the income tax increase passes, it would generate about $1.6 million in additional revenue for the city each year.
The ordinance would allow the additional income tax to help cover general city expenses. At council's regular session Wednesday, Councilman Bruce Shrodes said the city needs the additional funding to maintain recreation programs, support the police department and tear down dilapidated homes owned by the city.
At Wednesday's meeting, council also discussed having a town hall meeting before the election to outline the city's financial situation and encourage residents to vote to raise the income tax.
Council has not yet set a date for this meeting.
Those who wish to vote in the upcoming general election must register to vote by Oct. 10, and early in-person voting will begin on Oct. 11.
Individuals can register to vote online at olvr.ohiosos.gov or by visiting the board of elections office in St. Clairsville, the Secretary of State's office in Columbus, any public high school or vocational school, the office of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, public libraries or the county treasurer's office.
According to the Belmont County Board of Elections website, polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 7.
For more information about the upcoming election, call 740-526-0188, email belmont@ohiosos.gov or visit the Belmont County Board of Elections website at boe.ohio.gov/belmont. The office is located at 52180 National Road in St. Clairsville and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.