Issue 15, a tax to fund fire and emergency medical services (EMS), was passed by Oxford residents Nov. 2.
Issue 15 will increase the City of Oxford earned income tax by 0.25 percent, an increase that will generate approximately $950,000 of revenue annually, according to Oxford City Manager Doug Elliott. This money will go toward paying the salaries and benefits of three part-time firefighters and EMS personnel, Elliott said.
Oxford has already made the transition from an all-volunteer fire and EMS staff to a 24-hour on-duty staff, Elliott said. The City of Oxford is currently operating on a $447,389 spending deficit, caused in part by the 24-hour fire and EMS staff, according to Elliott.
"The passage of Issue 15 will eliminate the deficit and ensure we can maintain our current staff," Elliott said.
The city projected an operating deficit for 2010 and 2011 before Issue 15 passed. With the additional revenue Issue 15 will generate, the spending deficit will be eliminated, Elliott said. Even with the additional revenue, the city projects it will cut its budget by $500,000 in the coming year, according to Elliott.
Issue 15 will tax earnings of Oxford residents, including Miami University students, Elliott said. The issue will not tax social security or retirement pensions, Elliott said.
"We are very happy Issue 15 passed," Elliott said. "I want to thank all the voters who supported it and all the volunteers who promoted it."
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