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Mayor Feeney says ballot language for income‑tax levy differs from council resolution, vows 10‑year limit if levy passes
Summary
Mayor Feeney told Chillicothe City Council that the ballot language for an upcoming income‑tax levy does not match the council’s resolution and pledged that, if voters approve the levy, the city will pass an ordinance to limit collections to 10 years.
Mayor Feeney told Chillicothe City Council on Monday that the language appearing on the income‑tax levy ballot next Tuesday does not match the wording of a resolution the council passed and that the city will limit any new collection to 10 years if voters approve the measure.
"The language on the ballot next Tuesday ... does not mention the fact that the council passed the resolution and limited the income tax collection to 10 years," Feeney said, urging transparency and noting that the city’s ordinance language is distinct from the ballot form. He said he and other officials — including the council president, the auditor and the law director — have signed a letter to clarify the discrepancy and that he has circulated a draft committee assignment that would follow should the levy pass.
Feeney said the law director’s office, including Hannah Bivens, and the county prosecutor’s office spent considerable time reviewing the matter but found the Secretary of State’s ballot formatting and rules do not always align with how a city frames a home‑rule income tax. "It’s been confusing," he said. "With my letter ... I have committed that the ordinance that will be passed will in fact limit that time collection to 10 years."
The mayor also used his remarks to recognize recent public‑safety work: he described a recent rescue after an overturned mower, thanked police and fire personnel for a rapid response, and noted that Police Chief Ron Myers recently received a statewide award for crisis intervention work.
Why it matters: Voters considering the levy will see ballot language that, according to the mayor, omits a time limit contained in council materials. Feeney’s pledge to enact a 10‑year limit by ordinance, if the levy passes, is a commitment to voters but would require post‑election action by council and the auditor to ensure collection follows that limit.
Next steps: Feeney said he has circulated a draft committee assignment and a letter for public and council review; if the levy is approved, council would need to adopt the ordinance to codify the 10‑year limit.
