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Lincoln Heights council votes to place three levies on November ballot
Summary
At its June 23 meeting the Village of Lincoln Heights council voted to place three levy measures on the Nov. 2025 ballot: R‑61 (renewal of the 2019 operating levy), R‑62 (operating-levy increase) and R‑63 (police-levy increase). R‑61 passed unanimously; R‑62 and R‑63 passed 5–1.
The Village of Lincoln Heights council voted June 23 to place three separate levy resolutions on the Nov. 2025 ballot, advancing a renewal and two proposed increases that the administration says are needed to maintain operations and cover rising contractual costs for policing.
Solicitor/administrator "Mister Desai" told council that the process requires two pieces of legislation — a certificate of estimated revenue from the county auditor and a resolution to proceed — and stressed that passage tonight only puts the measures on the ballot; ‘‘It does not put the levy in place… it is a voter decision,’’ he said. The solicitor also noted state law requires five council votes to place a levy question on the ballot.
R‑61, described as the renewal of the village’s operating levy previously passed in 2019, was read by title and, after suspension of the rules, passed on roll call with six aye votes. The resolution does not include an emergency clause.
R‑62, a proposed increase to the operating levy framed by the administration as necessary to meet forecasted revenue shortfalls, passed after a roll call vote, 5–1; Councilwoman Phyllis Baber cast the lone no vote. Council discussed whether an increase would change payment timing; the solicitor clarified that Ohio taxation is paid in arrears and typically collected in two installments, so the increase would change the annual amount collected but not the payment schedule.
R‑63, described as an increase to the police levy to cover higher costs under the sheriff’s contract, also passed 5–1 with Councilwoman Baber opposing. The solicitor and council emphasized that approval tonight places the questions on the November ballot; final adoption depends on voter approval and the auditor’s certificate of estimated revenue.
Votes at a glance R‑61 (operating levy renewal): passed, roll call 6–0. R‑62 (operating levy increase): passed, roll call 5–1 (Baber opposed). R‑63 (police levy increase): passed, roll call 5–1 (Baber opposed).
What’s next: If council's resolutions are forwarded to the Hamilton County auditor, the auditor will issue certificates of estimated revenue that inform final levy amounts on the ballot materials. The measures will appear on the November 2025 ballot for voter approval.
