Toledo Voters Reject Safety Income Tax Levy

Issue 16, a 0.25% income tax for public safety, failed at the ballot box, prompting warnings of police and fire layoffs.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Flat-color editorial illustration of a closed roll-up bay door in deep red and cream, set against a low band of brick under a grave, overcast sky. — Toledo voters rejected Issue 16, a 0.25% public-safety income tax, leaving the city facing approximately 73 police and fire layoffs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you support a 0.25% local income tax to fund police and fire services?

Toledo voters rejected Issue 16, a 0.25% safety income tax levy, with 54% voting No and 46% voting Yes. City leaders say the defeat will lead to approximately 73 police and fire layoffs.

Why it matters

The levy was intended to fund neighborhood safety initiatives, police and fire operations, and efforts to disrupt criminal gangs. Its failure leaves the city facing reduced staffing and fewer resources for emergency response across Toledo.

Issue 16 failed with 46% support against 54% opposition, and city officials project approximately 73 police and fire layoffs as a result. Details on the timing and distribution of those cuts have not been specified.

The players

Abby Arnold

Deputy Mayor of Toledo who announced the projected 73 police and fire layoffs following the levy's failure.

Joseph Cira

President of Toledo Firefighters Local 92 who called the projected layoff figure concerning and warned that fewer firefighters and police would reduce the city's emergency response capacity.

The details

If the measure had passed, a 0.25% income tax would have funded neighborhood safety, police and fire operations, and gang disruption. With its failure, blight crews would be reduced and vacant home demolitions would be limited to emergencies, according to city leaders.

November 4, 2026: Toledo voters rejected Issue 16 at the ballot box.

Legal Context

Toledo's Issue 16 follows the pattern of Ohio cities turning to voter-approved income tax levies to fund public safety when general budgets fall short. Its defeat leaves the city relying on staffing cuts rather than the dedicated revenue stream voters declined to approve.

Residents may notice fewer blight crews and emergency-only demolitions of vacant homes in their neighborhoods. Fewer police and firefighters could also lengthen response times to calls for help across Toledo.

The takeaway

Voter decisions on dedicated tax levies directly determine how quickly a city can staff its police and fire departments. Residents who depend on these services should track how the projected cuts are implemented.