Toledo Firefighters Warn of Layoffs if Issue 16 Fails

The local union says potential job cuts await department staff if the proposed income tax levy is rejected in November.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Jobs — General

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a heavy-duty fire hose nozzle, representing the institutional stakes of the Toledo municipal budget policy. — Toledo Firefighters Local 92 warns of potential staffing reductions if the 0.25% income tax levy on the November 3 ballot fails. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you support a new local income tax levy to fund fire and police emergency services?

Toledo Firefighters Local 92 warns that the department may face staffing reductions if voters reject Issue 16 on November 3. The measure proposes a 0.25% temporary income tax to fund police and fire operations throughout the city.

Why it matters

The proposed levy aims to sustain emergency service staffing levels for the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department. If the measure fails, officials indicate that layoffs will likely impact junior members currently in the academy.

The proposed 0.25% income tax costs workers $2.50 per $1,000 of earned income, totaling $75 annually for a person earning $30,000. The levy is intended to fund the department, which currently employs 591 personnel.

The players

Toledo Firefighters Local 92

This labor union represents the emergency personnel working within the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department.

John Kaminski

He serves as the Assistant Fire Chief for the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department.

Joe Cira

He is the president of Toledo Firefighters Local 92.

The details

Assistant Fire Chief John Kaminski and union president Joe Cira have discussed the necessity of the funding to maintain operations. The union mandates that personnel receive at least 30 days of notice before any layoff implementation occurs.

November 3, 2026: Election day for Issue 16.
January 1, 2027: Proposed start date for the three-year tax.
End of 2030: Proposed end date for the tax.

Market Landscape

Issue 16 represents a common trend where municipal departments rely on temporary ballot initiatives to secure operating capital. This measure positions the city to maintain public safety staffing levels against a backdrop of tightening local budgets.

Residents earning $30,000 annually will see a $75 increase in their local tax burden if the measure passes. A rejection of the tax could lead to service changes and reduced staffing for city emergency responders.

The takeaway

Voters face a choice between supporting a temporary tax increase or accepting potential service cuts within the city fire department. Residents should review the specific ballot language to understand how the levy impacts their individual household income.