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Council reviews 1% income-tax allocation after updated revenue projections for Police and Fire
Summary
Council discussed updated projections showing roughly $1.3 million each for Police and Fire from a proposed 1% income tax; City Manager said the revised numbers reflect updated 2025 revenue figures and a decision to dedicate proceeds after prior votes and department feedback.
Union — City of Union council members on Feb. 9 discussed how revenue from a proposed 1% income-tax levy would be allocated between Police and Fire, and why the latest projections differ from earlier estimates.
At the meeting, Councilmember Mrs. Black pressed City Manager John Applegate for clarity on why current projections show about $1.3 million for Police and $1.3 million for Fire (about $2.6 million total), compared with an earlier July memo that projected $875,000 per department under a half-percent split. Applegate said the July proposal split the levy so half of the new tax would go to the General Fund, giving Council flexibility to move funds between departments when needed. After that measure failed, "feedback from the Police and Fire Chiefs indicated that some residents would support the levy if all proceeds were dedicated solely to Police and Fire," Applegate said, and updated 2025 income-tax revenue figures produced the higher departmental projections.
Mrs. Black questioned whether the allocation is driven primarily by projected revenue rather than departmental need; Applegate replied the allocation is based on both recent revenue data and identified needs. Mayor O'Callaghan noted that transfers from the General Fund to Police and Fire already total at least $1.3 million combined under current budgeting.
The discussion did not produce a formal vote or ordinance amending allocations; Applegate said final distributions would track actual collections and that staff would provide clarifying notes on past proposals and current projections. Council scheduled a follow-up meeting for Feb. 23 to address outstanding documentation on a subdivision that may require additional process.
