Multiple Newark City Council members urged residents to support a proposed half‑percent income tax increase on the November ballot, saying the city faces a significant budget shortfall that would force cuts to services and infrastructure if voters reject the measure.

“We're looking at over a million dollar deficit if this does not pass,” Councilmember Martin told colleagues during the meeting. “If we lose our paving and then we're talking about cuts, 25% in every department. Some departments have nowhere to cut.”

Council speakers said more than half the city budget funds safety forces and that the city already put hiring freezes in place because of budget constraints. They framed the ballot measure as necessary for maintaining police, fire and paving programs. One councilmember estimated the increase would raise the city’s income tax rate from 1.75% to about 2.25% and described the additional cost to an average taxpayer as roughly $12 a month.

Councilmembers urged the administration to communicate the consequences and told residents to vote. The council noted that early voting begins “tomorrow” (as announced at the meeting). Several members also encouraged constituents to contact state representatives about state-level withholding of marijuana tax revenues that the council said voters approved in 2023 (Issue 2); councilmembers said municipalities with dispensaries have not received the expected revenue share and urged local advocacy.

Why it matters: council members characterized the measure as essential to avoid cuts that they said would significantly affect public safety and infrastructure. No formal council vote or ordinance adopting the tax change was recorded at the meeting; the remarks were appeals to voters and calls for public communication.

Details: Speakers said the city faces constrained revenues and potential service cuts, called for public education about the ballot question, and reported that early voting would begin imminently. Councilmembers also referenced the parking garage and marijuana tax revenue as related fiscal topics.