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Get Informed
The City of Wooster is at a Crossroads. Due to state budget cuts, we are no longer able to offer the same level of services at our current city revenue. Through several community outreach efforts, we have heard the concerns of the citizens, and have placed the decision in the hands of the people to determine what kind of Wooster they want to see.
Fail
If the proposed earned income tax fails, the City of Wooster will be forced to:- Reduce its police force by four officers
- Reduce amount of squad cars running from six to five
- ONLY be able to respond to crimes in progress, and experience slower response times overall
- Reduce its fire department by six firefighters
- Experience slower response times for fire emergencies by 2-4 minutes.
- Reduce its recreation department by four individuals
- Cut all recreation programs including basketball, soccer and baseball leagues
- Close down Freedlander and Knights Field pools
- Eliminate the subsidized taxi service
- Place capital improvement projects, including repairing city roads, on hold
Pass
If the proposed earned income tax passes, the City of Wooster will be able to:- Continue offering its citizens the level of police protection they are accustomed to while preserving four jobs.
- Continue offering the level of fire protection services they are accustomed to while preserving six jobs.
- Maintain recreational programs, including basketball, soccer and baseball leagues while preserving four jobs.
- Maintain the operation of all three city pools and the subsidized taxi service.
- Fund capital improvement projects, including repairing of city roads
Earned Income Tax
An earned income tax is a tax levied as a percent of earned income.What is Taxed?
- Wages
- Tips
- Self-employed earnings
- Partnership Income
- Rental Income
What is Not Taxed?
- Interest
- Dividends
- Capital gains
- Pensions
- Annuity Income
- Unemployment
- Income from estates
- Social security benefits
- Incorporated businesses
Wooster at a Crossroads
The City of Wooster is at a Crossroads. Due to state budget cuts, we are no longer able to offer the same level of services at our current city revenue. Through several community outreach efforts, we have heard the concerns of the citizens, and have placed the decision in the hands of the people to determine what kind of Wooster they want to see.
At our current financial state, we are faced with two options: make significant cuts in services to remain fiscally responsible, or increase city revenue. To continue to offer services deemed important through our community outreach, we have determined that a .5% increase in an earned income tax would provide the funds necessary to maintain our current services without placing an unnecessary burden on the citizens of Wooster.
Available on this website are the facts concerning the proposed earn income tax, the statistical survey analysis that led us to this decision, a schedule of events where you can come learn more about the proposed earned income tax and a list of potential consequences with a pass/fail result.