Avon Lake Asks Voters for $33M Tax Hike Without Project List | The Locally Times
The proposed 0.4% income tax increase on the May 5 ballot would generate $6.6 million annually for five years, but city documents do not specify which roads will be funded.
Avon Lake officials are asking voters on the May 5, 2026, ballot to approve a 0.4% income tax increase to fund infrastructure projects. The proposal would raise the municipal income tax rate from 1.5% to 1.9% for five years, generating an estimated $6.6 million annually for a total of $33 million. According to announcements on the city’s website, the funds are designated for road and capital improvements to serve a growing population. A current review of public records shows that this information gap persists. ## A Request for Funds, Not for Projects While the city has quantified the proposed tax rate and its expected revenue, public documents lack a detailed plan for how the money would be spent. The city’s website refers to a roads and capital improvements program but provides no supporting documentation that itemizes specific projects, offers cost estimates, or outlines a construction timeline. No public records list which roads are prioritized for repaving or which other capital improvement needs—a broad term covering long-term assets from buildings to equipment—fall under the funding umbrella. The absence of a project list means voters are being asked to approve a $33 million tax authorization based on a general spending category, leaving specific funding decisions to city officials after the election. ## City Justification and Public Outreach The city’s justification, per its announcements, centers on infrastructure strain from community growth. However, available documents do not include data on current road conditions or an analysis of why existing funds are insufficient. Records from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections show its board met on February 17, 2026, to certify issues for the May 5 Primary Election, formally placing the tax proposal on the ballot. ## Financial Award Contrasts with Lack of Detail The lack of a detailed spending plan for the proposed revenue contrasts with an award the city received for its financial reporting for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. The GFOA states this award, its highest honor, recognizes a commitment to transparency and full disclosure beyond basic requirements. This recognized capacity for comprehensive financial reporting has not been applied to the forward-looking budget for this $33 million ballot initiative. ## Voters Face Decision Without Accountability Plan With the May 5 election approaching, Avon Lake residents and workers face a decision on a $33 million, multi-year tax increase without key information. Beyond the lack of a project list, city documents do not specify what process will govern the allocation of funds if the measure passes. Records do not state whether a public body will oversee spending, how residents can track project progress, or what criteria will be used to prioritize needs. Without a project list attached to the ballot measure, accountability for the funds rests on future decisions by city officials rather than on a concrete plan approved by voters.