Council adopts ordinance to increase municipal income tax to 2% and directs ballot question; Hoover Foundation pledge cited
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Summary
Council adopted an ordinance to raise North Canton's municipal income tax from 1.5% to 2%, approved a resolution sending the question to voters, and adopted a resolution committing not to seek renewal of certain levies if the tax increase is approved; the mayor cited a multi-year pledge from the Hoover Foundation contingent on passage.
North Canton City Council adopted an ordinance to increase the city's municipal income tax rate from 1.5% to 2% beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and voted to place the measure before voters at a May special election. Council also passed a resolution stating its intent not to seek renewal or replacement of the city's existing street-paving, EMS operating, and fire-suppression operating levies if voters approve the 0.5-percentage-point income-tax increase.
Mayor (name stated in meeting) addressed the council and said the proposed 0.5% increase is intended to provide funds for municipal operations, maintenance, equipment, expanded services and capital improvements including fire and EMS facilities and road paving. The mayor spoke at length about a longstanding partnership with the Hoover company and the Hoover Foundation, and said the foundation "has pledged $750 0 grant over 3 years" contingent on passage of the tax proposal (exact words in the meeting transcript). The mayor described the pledge as a challenge and a lever to secure a modern fire and EMS facility and other public-safety investments; the mayor urged council to move the legislation forward.
Council discussed fiscal context after the mayor's remarks. City staff clarified the city's reported carryover and reserves: the transcript records an $8,500,000 carryover figure (the mayor and staff discussed this figure at length), with roughly $4,000,000 representing the city's required minimum carryover (25% of revenues). Staff said the one-year 2024 surplus was $1,600,000 and that that surplus has been dedicated to paving; after required reserves the transcript indicates roughly $3,000,000 remained in true discretionary savings. Council members used these clarifications to respond to public comments and social-media questions about available funds.
Votes and formal actions taken at the meeting included: adoption of the ordinance to raise municipal income tax (motion carried), a resolution directing the board of elections to place the income-tax question on the May ballot (resolution read and adopted), and a separate resolution (roll-call vote recorded) stating council's intent not to seek renewal or replacement of the city's prior levies if voters approve the tax increase. The roll-call vote on that resolution recorded six yes votes and zero opposed (Member Weyrick: Yes; Member Owens: Yes; Member McLeister: Yes; Member Stroya: Yes; Member Metheny: Yes; Member Orr: Yes).
Ending: The tax increase ordinance and the ballot-direction resolution were adopted; the ballot measure will appear at the May special election per council action, and council committed (by resolution) not to seek replacement levies if voters approve the 0.5% increase.