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Union council backs street levy renewal and supports 1% income tax to fund police and fire, pledges no property tax increase if passed
Summary
At its April 13 meeting, the City of Union Council voted to support renewing a five‑year, three‑mill street levy and to back a proposed 1% municipal income tax to fund Police and Fire; the council also adopted a resolution committing to a 10‑year property tax freeze contingent on the income tax passing.
On April 13, 2026, the City of Union Council voted to support renewing the city’s five‑year, three‑mill street levy and to back a proposed 1% municipal income tax intended to fund Police and Fire operations, while adopting a resolution that would keep city property taxes unchanged for 10 years if voters approve the income tax.
City Manager John Applegate summarized the measures for council. He said the street levy motion would renew the existing five‑year, three‑mill levy with no increase in rate and authorize public informational outreach. Mr. Bruns moved the motion; the council voted unanimously in favor (7–0).
Applegate described the proposed 1% municipal income tax as intended to fund Police and Fire operations and to support related staffing and equipment needs. Mr. Bruns moved to support the income tax levy and authorize outreach; the motion passed 6–1, with Mrs. Black casting the sole no vote.
Separately, council adopted Resolution 26‑05, which the City Manager described as a commitment to a 10‑year “zero increase” in city property taxes contingent on passage of the 1% income tax. The resolution passed 6–1 (Mrs. Black opposed). Applegate told council staff would prepare informational materials to support public outreach on the levies.
Votes at a glance
- Motion supporting renewal of the five‑year, three‑mill street levy and authorizing public informational outreach — Passed unanimously, Yes: O’Callaghan, Thomas‑Roth, Black, Bruns, Brookover, Bennett, Rarick (7–0). - Motion supporting a proposed 1% municipal income tax to fund Police and Fire, with public outreach — Passed 6–1, Yes: Thomas‑Roth, Bruns, Brookover, Bennett, Rarick, O’Callaghan; No: Black. - Resolution 26‑05 committing to a 10‑year property tax “zero increase” contingent on passage of the income tax — Passed 6–1, Yes: Bennett, Rarick, O’Callaghan, Thomas‑Roth, Bruns, Brookover; No: Black.
Other actions taken
The council also adopted several routine resolutions and motions related to city operations: Resolution 26‑02, authorizing sale of city property on the east side of Union Airpark Boulevard to allow consolidation with adjacent parcels for future development (unanimous); Resolution 26‑03, adopting the statement required by Ohio Revised Code Section 709.03(D) describing services the city will provide to a 6.0228‑acre territory proposed for annexation from Butler Township (unanimous); and Resolution 26‑04, renewing the city’s full‑service street lighting agreement through the regional consortium (Miami Valley Lighting, LLC / Miami Valley Cable Council) with noted cost adjustments (unanimous). The council approved a motion directing staff to research official video recordings of meetings for posting on the city’s website (unanimous). A separate motion by Mrs. Black to require documentation of all official staff procedures failed for lack of a second.
Mr. Nate Mundy of the Montgomery County Recorder’s Office gave a brief presentation during Citizens and Visitors Comments on the Fraud Alert Notification System (FANS), Transfer on Death deeds and the Veteran ID Card Program and highlighted services residents can use to help protect property ownership.
The council voted to cancel the second meeting in April; the next scheduled meeting is May 11, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
(For full roll‑call votes and procedural details see the official minutes.)
