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Union council votes to put 1% income tax increase on November ballot to fund police and fire
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 1803 to place a 1.0% municipal income tax increase on the November ballot to fund police and fire operations and equipment; the measure passed council 6-1 and is subject to voter approval. Council also passed a resolution pledging no increase in property taxes if the levy passes.
Union's City Council voted on June 8 to place a proposed 1.0 percentage-point municipal income tax increase on the November ballot to bolster Police and Fire Department operations, equipment and related debt service. The ordinance (Ordinance 1803) will take effect Jan. 1, 2027, if approved by voters.
The measure cleared procedural hurdles first: Council unanimously (7-0) waived the charter requirement for three separate readings to meet Board of Elections deadlines, then approved the ordinance on a single reading by a 6-1 vote; Council member Mrs. Black cast the lone no vote. Fire Chief Zach Marvin told Council that call volumes have risen sharply in recent years and current staffing levels leave units out of service during calls. "Call volumes for the fire department have increased 61%," Fire Chief Zach Marvin said, and he added police calls had risen "92%". He said the departments rely heavily on part-time staff and that some months the fire department operated with two personnel on duty 25% of the time, forcing either a fire truck or ambulance out of service when the other responded.
Alongside the ordinance, Council approved Resolution 26-06, a pledge to keep city property taxes at current levels if the income-tax increase is approved; that resolution passed 6-1. Mayor O'Callaghan then read and Council approved a motion declaring official Council support for the levy and authorizing the City Manager to expend funds on public informational materials and outreach, also by a 6-1 vote.
City Manager John Applegate told Council the timing to waive readings and move quickly was driven by the Board of Elections filing deadlines. Proponents framed the increase as necessary to maintain minimum staffing and reliable response times; opponents on the dais questioned proceeding on an expedited schedule, but those concerns did not change the outcome.
The ordinance will appear on the November ballot; implementation would begin Jan. 1, 2027 if voters approve it. Council debates and staff presentations during the June 8 meeting provided the operational rationale and the council votes that sent the proposal to the ballot.
