Akron City School Construction Tax Extension (November 2010)

An Akron City School Construction Tax Extension measure was on the November 2, 2010 ballot in the city of Akron, which is in Summit County.

This measure was approved

• YES 27,594 (54.93%)a
• NO 22,638 (45.07%)

Due to funding shortfalls, this measure sought to extend the school construction fund tax for a further five years in order to allow the diverting of near $4.3 million a year away from the construction fund to a new find which would pay for police and fire services, as well as snow removal in the winter, in the city. The construction school tax was set at one-quarter of a percent of city resident's income. This measure depended on if an agreement could be made with the police and fire unions on salary rates. Even though this was approved, the city noted that police officers would still likely be laid off in order to balance the city budget. Some council members noted that this was, they felt, the wrong way to address the issue. A increased tax outright that said it was for police services would have been more useful to voters.

The Police Union had stated that they had no intention to take a stand on this measure. The noted that they had not been asked to take a stand and that their members have mixed feelings about the issue.

The Akron Board of Education voted to endorse this measure, though the lone dissenting voice noted that the Board will find it hard to get a levy approved by voters next time since they are allowing this school money to be diverted elsewhere. While the schools would still get some of the money, it will be used to finish construction on new school buildings.

Additional reading

• Beacon Journal, "Archenemies in charter fight," October 10, 2010
• Beacon Journal, "Akron charter amendment to stay on ballot," September 21, 2010 (dead link)
• Beacon Journal, "Akron keeps charter issue," September 16, 2010
• Beacon Journal, "City police adjusting to realities of layoffs," September 14, 2010