Thursday evening, Findlay city officials met with the community in a public meeting, to discuss the quarter of a percent income tax renewal and the consequences facing the city if the renewal is not passed.
Mayor Lydia Mihalik says 23 firefighters would be affected and fire station no. 4 on County Road 236 would likely be closed. Findlay Fire Chief Tom Lonyo says the city can't afford to lose the station.
Tom Lonyo says "its going to be catastrophic event. I think we wont be able to match the risks to the community. Were going to look at where we are today and where we were be without the tax and that obviously a strong reduction in the force."
The city would also have to cut 6 police officers and 6 public works employees. Mayor Mihalik says that quarter of a percent renewal is a big chunk of the cities budget and is something they can't do without.
Lydia Mihalik says "it equates to about 4.2 million dollars a year to our general fund budget, overall it is 26 million, so 4 million is a pretty good chunk."
Mihalik also said this years budget work has been time-consuming and complicated with the fact they have had to make two budget scenarios one if the income tax passes and one if it does not.
