The Village of Alexandria will put an income tax levy on the ballot for the May primary after a replacement property tax levy failed to garner support in the November 2024 election.
The new levy, if passed by the voters in the May 6 primary, will increase the existing tax from 1% to 1.5%, which would generate an additional $90,000 annually for the village’s operating funding. The funds, the village said in an April 1 email, will support growth management efforts, road maintenance and the new police department in the community.
“Without this increase the Village will be in a very challenging position to plan for and manage growth and will continue to struggle to provide consistent maintenance and public safety in our Village,” Alexandria Mayor Sean Barnes wrote in the email.
During the November election, Alexandria’s replacement property tax levy was rejected by 52% of voters – or about 142 residents. The proposed 4-mill levy would have brought $57,000 to the village each year for the next five years, Barnes said. The levy failure resulted in a reduction of 18% of Alexandria’s operating funding.
Read more: Alexandria mulls alternative funding sources after property tax levy failed in November election
Barnes received feedback from residents about the property tax levy. He said the village of about 500 people includes an older demographic, and people on fixed or retirement income. Therefore, some citizens were concerned that the increased property tax would affect their livelihood. Barnes sent out a flier to residents with information about the income tax levy. The flier said social security, disability benefits, military compensation, unemployment benefits, and retirement pensions are not taxed as earned income.
“From some of the people that we heard from, they would be more in favor of the income tax” instead of a property tax, Barnes told The Reporting Project in late March.
That’s partially due to a 2023 Licking County property value assessment. In 2023, the average increase in residential property values in Licking County since 2020 is 40% – and residents were concerned about how the village’s proposed November levy would impact their tax bills.
“I think they vote with their wallet a lot,” Alexandria Village Council member Carianne Meng said after the November levy failed. “It also tells me that people are facing increased financial pressures and are having to make some tough decisions.”
After receiving feedback Barnes and Village Council decided that an income tax levy may pass instead of a property tax levy.
Barnes said that he has gotten very little feedback about the income tax levy, and he wants to ensure that residents are informed about the levy on the ballot.
“The pressures from outside are so great, and there’s a real threat to the sort of lifestyle that we all experience and enjoy here. That community,” Barnes said. “ I think that income tax honestly becomes the best tool for us to be able to start figuring out and creating that future that we want for the village.”
Barnes said the budget Alexandria is working with causes them to be reactive instead of proactive. If this tax increase passes, Barnes said some of that funding could help the village create a comprehensive plan – a guide for development in a community. A comprehensive plan would be a large expense for Alexandria.
“I think we’re recognizing it is a real necessity at this time because of the development discussions,” he said. “I don’t want to see the village stuck in a situation where we’re watching everything happen around us and can’t be part of that conversation.”
If the levy fails in May, already-existing routine maintenance will occur for infrastructure, according to the email Barnes sent in early April. For Alexandria’s streets and police department, the village will only be able to pursue projects that are fully funded by grants.
Barnes said to maintain the lifestyle of Alexandria’s community they have to be able to manage the growth that is coming. And Alexandria’s administration and village council are serious about the future of Alexandria.
“I really hope the community realizes how hard all these people are working,” Barnes said.
They are working part time or as volunteers to make the Village of Alexandria reflect the greater pride of the community.
The last day to register to vote in the May 6 primary is April 7, and early voting begins on April 8 at the board of elections office, 20 S. 2nd Street, Newark.
Caroline Zollinger writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.