Bowling Green council introduces package to fund police, fire facilities; proposes 0.15% income tax increase and bonds

Bowling Green City Council on Monday introduced seven ordinances and a companion resolution to pay for improvements to the city’s police and fire facilities, including a proposed 0.15% permanent income-tax increase and the issuance of bonds. Council members said three of the ordinances will be held after their third readings until after the November election on a proposed municipal income-tax increase, and emergency clauses were requested for those three so they could take effect immediately if voters approve the levy.

The package includes an ordinance to amend Section 95 A.1 of the codified ordinances to levy an additional 0.15% income tax beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and two bond ordinances: one authorizing bonds up to $27,720,000 for fire-station construction and related site improvements and equipment, and another authorizing bonds up to $4,950,000 to acquire a fire truck and related apparatus. Council also introduced an ordinance authorizing contracts for professional services and construction administration for safety-facility building and renovations and an ordinance to declare an official intent under U.S. Treasury regulations to reimburse certain pre-issuance expenditures from bond proceeds.

“Because these seven pieces of legislation are likely to generate many questions, I have asked the municipal administrator to provide a detailed review of each of these seven pieces of legislation at our next city council meeting,” Council President Robinette said, noting the administrator agreed to present that review. Robinette said the finance committee intends the ordinances to receive the standard three readings over three regular meetings and that three named ordinances would be tabled after third reading until the council knows the outcome of the municipal tax question.

Councilor Harrell, chairing the Transportation and Safety Committee, said a committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. to provide an additional public forum on the proposed safety-facilities legislation and the reallocation of the city’s unvoted 1.5% income-tax share. “A good component of this… is intended to give an additional forum for people to ask questions and give feedback,” Harrell said.

No ordinance in the package was adopted Monday; all were presented for first reading. Councilors said they expect a detailed staff presentation at the next meeting and additional public discussion at the June 30 committee meeting before later readings and any vote.

The measures reference the codified ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, Ohio, and U.S. Treasury regulations for reimbursement of pre-issuance costs. If put to voters, the resolution introduced would declare the necessity of an election on the proposed 0.15% income-tax increase.