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Council debates reallocating sales-tax share to roads but takes no action
Summary
Councilors discussed an ordinance that would increase the portion of local sales-tax revenue allocated to roads from 12.5% to 30%, with members warning that an immediate reallocation could pull operating money and advising a more deliberate budget process; no action was taken.
Councilors debated an agenda item that would shift a larger share of locally derived sales-tax revenues toward road maintenance. Proponents said increasing the allocation from the currently approved 12.5% to 30% would free substantial funds for urgent projects such as widening Oldham Road South and upgrading Allen Drive; opponents said making a large, immediate reallocation risks operating stability and urged doing the change as part of the formal budget process.
One council member warned that pulling more than double the current allocation could be "robbing Peter to pay Paul," and the mayor urged a careful budget meeting to consider the implications rather than an on-the-fly vote. Council members also noted election and reauthorization technicalities tied to the 0.25 sales-tax reauthorization mechanism, meaning some changes require a separate voter action. After extended discussion the council took no action on the ordinance tonight.
