Newark voters are opposing increasing the city’s income tax rate but approving another ballot measure that would give the city the ability to post digital notices, unofficial preliminary election results show.
Nearly 3,000 voters, or 56%, had opted against implementing the tax as of 8:41 p.m., the results show. A little more than 2,200 voters had supported it.
The other measure had 69% support as of 8:41 p.m., according to the preliminary results.
The measure asked voters to approve increasing the city’s income tax rate from 1.75% to 2.25%, with funds collected from that extra 0.5% going to public safety forces. The other measure is a request to amend the city charter so that city staff can public notices such as resolutions and municipal ordinances digitally.
The additional funds would leave more money in the city’s general fund that it could spend elsewhere, possibly other safety-type initiatives. It also would likely help the city cover most of the expenses for fire and police in future years.
If approved, the new measure would bring the percentage designated to police and fire to 1% and the overall rate to 2.25%.
In November, the city asked voters to approve a tax rate, but voters rejected it. The measure at the time said the increase would support police and fire but also public safety initiatives, street repair and maintenance. The measure in the May primary only mentions police and fire.
Posting notices digitally could save the money around $30,000, money from the budget that it uses to post them in newspapers, including The Advocate. Some of the notices involve zoning changes and hearings.
This story will be updated.
Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark voters weigh ballot issues on income tax hike, digital notices
Reporting by Josué Perez, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
