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MIDDLETOWN — Despite a well-financed campaign supported by some of Middletown's most prominent citizens, a proposed 0.75-percent income tax increase could not overcome voters' lack of confidence in the City Council and the uncertainty of the 253-day lockout at AK Steel Corp.

Nearly 7,900 Middletown voters said "no" to the tax hike Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the boards of elections in Butler and Warren counties.

Had voters approved the proposal, it would have generated $9 million annually and raised the city's income tax to 2.25 percent — one of the highest rates in the Miami Valley. It would have cost a resident making $40,017 about $900 a year.

City officials had planned to use some of the funds from the levy to pay for street and park improvements and increased staffing levels in the police and fire departments.

Ryan Bowman, a resident and college student, said he understands the need behind Middletown's tax issue, but "I can't afford much more taken out of my check. It's not that I don't want those things, it's that I can't afford them."

The burning question for City Council and its administration: What now?

City Manager Bill Becker said City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. today at the City Building to discuss its next steps following the defeat of income tax proposal. Becker said he plans to proceed with the budget cuts that were announced this fall, which include closing two fire stations, reducing police staff and keeping the city's two municipal pools closed.

"I think we did everything we could do," Becker said, noting there has been no discussion of going back to the ballot in February or May. "The community has spoken and it's up to council to make some tough decisions."

Tuesday was a night of mixed emotions for Councilman Noah E. Powers II, who celebrated winning a Butler County Common Pleas judgeship and agonized over the "disappointing" defeat of the tax levy. Powers will vacate his council seat next month to assume his place on the judge's bench Jan. 2.

"We're (the city) not going to die, but we're going to wither on the vine for a long time," Powers said. "There are tough decisions ahead and the community is going to suffer."

Middletown has questions, decisions to consider

By Ed Richter

Staff Writer

Voters? overwhelming rejection of a proposed 0.75 percent income tax increase Tuesday spoke volumes about their distrust of city government, some levy proponents and city officials said following the defeat.

One city councilman called for a shake up in the city?s administration, while other campaign supporters said it?s time for a new generation of leaders to step up and take charge of Middletown?s future.

?I think the seven elected officials need to step up and lead this city,? said Councilman Anthony ?Tony? Marconi. ?It?s time for council to step up to the plate and be the leaders we have to be.?

Despite a well-funded campaign supported by some of Middletown?s top movers and shakers, the levy could not overcome the spectre of City Council?s turbulent past, falling at the polls 7,898 to 5,204, according to unofficial results from the Butler and Warren county boards of elections. Infighting and public squabbles among council members made some voters leery of approving a tax increase under the current city leadership.

Many residents who said they already felt overtaxed pointed to the shaky economic climate in Middletown — spurred by the ongoing lockout at the city?s largest employer, AK Steel Corp. — as another reason for voting against the measure.

?People have got enough (taxes) on them already. They can?t hardly handle more,? said Susan Manning, a resident who voted against tax increase.

But not everyone was against the extra taxes.

Nick Kidd, who led the opposition group Citizens to Save Middletown, had few words following the levy?s defeat. Kidd had argued prior to Tuesday?s vote that a lack of leadership and set priorities were key reasons residents should vote against the measure.

?We?ll be there (at today?s meeting) to work with council to turn this city around and make it better,? Kidd said following the final vote tally.

Early optimism

Earlier Tuesday, the mood at the Manchester Inn was optimistic as a room full of levy supporters gathered to await the release of election results. But the atmosphere would quickly change.

By 9:40 p.m., the mood was growing more quiet and sullen as the first results were posted and it became evident that voters had rejected the levy.

Some levy supporters like Middletown 20/20 campaign co-chair Mike Scorti tried to remain positive.

?It?s not the end,? Scorti said. ?It?s the beginning. We?ve got a lot of people interested in what?s going on in the community. It?s the start of something big.?

New blood needed

Nancy Nix, a Middletown 20/20 co-chairwoman and treasurer, said the campaign raised more than $50,000, but big contribution checks weren?t enough.

?We tried, but we need new blood,? said Nix, a former vice mayor in Middletown. She said there is a ?serious lack of leadership citywide? and that residents and business people are not stepping up to help the community.

?It?s part of the hopelessness we all feel,? Nix said.

Marconi said there needs to be a change in administration if Middletown is going to turn around. However, he said the levy failure was not City Manager Bill Becker?s fault.

?We have to assess all of our options and in the new plan, council has to take the lead,? Marconi said. ?Until then, the income tax won?t pass.?

Next steps

Becker said he has not talked with council about placing another tax proposal on the ballot in a February special election or for the May primary election.

Journal staff writers Lauren Pack and Eric Robinette contributed to this report. Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or erichter@coxohio.com.