ELYRIA — If city officials questioned Monday whether residents would renew a 0.5 percent income tax, they got the answer they were looking for Tuesday.

With 11,869 votes in favor of the tax and 8,797 votes against it, the renewal got 57.4 percent of the total vote, according to unofficial results from the Lorain County Board of Elections.

The tax generates about $6 million a year, or more than one-sixth of the city’s general fund.

The first time it appeared on the ballot, in the March primary election, voters overwhelmingly defeated it. No committee campaigned for it, and the ballot confusingly listed it as both an increase and a renewal.

Since then, city officials have maintained that a strong campaign would win support for the tax.

Failure would have forced them to make drastic cuts in city programs, services and employees, including police and firefighters, to make up for the loss of revenue. Now, Mayor Bill Grace said, the city can move forward knowing such sweeping actions will not take place.

Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.

 

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