Council adopts ordinances to place income-tax levy questions on May 5, 2026 ballot

Steubenville City Council on Aug. 12 approved a package of ordinances that will ask voters on May 5, 2026 to continue or adjust the city's municipal income-tax rates and allocations.

At the meeting Mayor Jerry Barilla read the third and final readings for multiple finance committee items. Ordinance No. 2025-53 would continue the wage-and-profit tax from 1.3% to 2.0% for five years and allocate the additional 0.7 percentage point as follows: $500,000 for street improvements, $300,000 for capital improvements and equipment, $100,000 for parks and recreation capital improvements, with the balance to the general fund. Council called the question and recorded an all-aye roll call; the ordinance is scheduled to take effect Sept. 11, 2025.

Council also adopted Ordinance No. 2025-54 and Ordinance No. 2025-55 (and related resolutions) to submit portions of the levy or continue specific fractions of the tax for five-year periods with stated allocations for employee salaries and street work. Mayor Barilla told the chamber, "You've heard the third and final reading of Ordinance No. 2025-53," and the measures were adopted after members called the question.

The votes were recorded by roll call with Council indicating unanimous support during the meeting. The ordinances will appear as ballot questions conducted by the Jefferson County Board of Elections on the May primary ballot.

The council did not expand on timing for any campaign or informational effort during the meeting; no amendments to the ordinance language were made on the floor.