Mayor Reacts: Issue 1 Passes by Wide Margin (Updated at 9:23 p.m.)
Real-time results from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
Photos
Issue 1 has passed by a large margin in unofficial election results.
Results show that Issue 1, a measure to increase the income tax rate by 0.5 percent to 2.25 percent, has passed 64 to 36 percent.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has counted all precincts.
"Today's vote makes me very proud to be a resident of Shaker Heights," Mayor Earl Leiken wrote in an email sent to residents just minutes after the results were posted.
"In the face of reductions imposed by Columbus which have been devastating to our community, our citizens have stood up and fought successfully to preserve their quality of life," he added.
He even addressed the residents who opposed Issue 1, calling them "a critical part of our community, adding, "You share with us an interest in preserving the quality of life in Shaker Heights and we want you to know that we share with you a concern about the cost of living in the community."
We want to hear from you, too! How did you vote? What do you think of the results? Tell us in the comments.
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Unofficial Results
| Should a 0.5 percent income tax increase be passed? | Number of Votes |
| Yes | 4,206 |
| No | 2,344 |
We will follow up with more election coverage tonight and Wednesday.
Isabel Robson
9:11 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
How do they think they can raise the taxes like this and keep this community attractive to new home buyers?
Julianna Johnston Senturia
9:14 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Given the shift in support from the state of Ohio to municipalities and the loss of essential estate tax revenue, it left the city with little options after four years of belt-tightening. The results today call for responsible, careful planning and provide the resources we need to move forward in many key areas including economic development, housing vacancy, road improvement and more. But it is not a blank check-- residents have made it clear that efficiency, collaboration and growing our tax base are priorities. Working together on all of these issues is essential.
Rick Smith
9:22 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Isabel Robson: You're paying less federal and state taxes than you probably ever have in your working life. No matter how anti-tax your stance, you can't argue with more of your money going to your local community and less to the state and federal government.
MCC
8:46 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Rick Smith: You can easily argue that ("with more of your money going to your local community and less to the state and federal government") if the city is not spending the money properly. Case in point...we are only 1 of 2 cities in Cuyahoga County that has a Health Department. So, 36 other cities have been able to realize that having a Health Department is not a responsible use of taxpayer money. However, Shaker will maintain one and run it at a loss of $335,000.00 for 2012. Although this is one instance, I am sure there are other areas where the city is not spending our tax money properly.