Wadsworth City Schools’ proposed earned income tax issue was overwhelmingly rejected by voters Tuesday night, highlighting a difficult evening for several school funding requests across Northeast Ohio.
The proposed 1.5% earned income tax would have generated an estimated $13 million annually for Wadsworth City Schools operations. Voters defeated the issue by a nearly 69-to-31 percent margin, with roughly 5,400 no votes compared to about 2,400 yes votes.
School district leaders are expected to discuss next steps following the levy defeat. Superintendent Dr. Andy Hill will be on the morning show today at 6:45 a.m. to talk about next steps with the levy failure.
But Wadsworth was not alone. Voters also rejected school funding issues in Norton, Barberton, Tallmadge, Twinsburg and Strongsville. In Cuyahoga County, Independence Local Schools voters rejected a combined income tax and bond issue that would have funded construction of a new Pre K through 8 school building.
However, several districts did receive voter support.
Solon City Schools passed a continuing 6.9-mill levy for current operating expenses, the district’s first operating levy request since 2018. Lakewood City Schools voters also approved a continuing 6.9-mill levy supporting operations, staffing, technology and safety improvements.
Outside of school issues, voters approved several public safety and community funding requests across Summit County. Hudson voters approved a property tax renewal and increase for city services. Norton voters also passed a renewal levy supporting Fire and EMS services, including areas overlapping Wayne County. Library funding requests passed in both Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls, while voters also approved two Valley Fire District levies.
Meanwhile, Springfield Township voters rejected a Fire and EMS levy, and a Coventry Township current expenses issue also failed. Twinsburg Township voters also rejected an issue tied to general construction projects.
All election results remain unofficial through local boards of elections.
