Chillicothe — Council received both criticism and support for seeking to renew a small income tax, in a recent council session.
Jason Link has questioned whether a renewal of a 2% city income tax is necessary, considering the apparently healthy condition of the city’s funds.
Link previously spoke twice on the issue, the last I reported on in “Chillicothe Council Unable to Put Replacement Income Tax Levy on Spring Ballot” (02/04/2025).
The tax had been enacted to fund city streets, and will expire at the end of 2025. Council cannot renew it themselves, but need to pass a resolution to place it before voters for renewal.
Council failed to do that in a special session just before the deadline to put it on the spring ballot: “Chillicothe Council Unable to Put Replacement Income Tax Levy on Spring Ballot” (02/04/2025).
They then aimed for the fall election. But at its third reading in the February 24th council session, council president Kevin Shoemaker determined that it had been altered significantly enough for him to place it back at first reading, where it stands tonight:
“…to renew the existing 0.2% levy that expires on December 31, 2025, at the same rate and for exclusive use toward the continuation of street paving, repairs and improvements for a ten-year period beginning January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2035, resolving that said amendment should be placed before the electors at the election to be held on November 4th, 2025.”
Link also called into question a $30K appropriation towards a disc golf park at the Goldie Gunlock Memorial Park, passed at third reading on January 27th, as well as $50K for the Ross County Humane Society passed on February 10th.
Link was a candidate for county commissioner in the fall election, and is senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church. Hear him in his own words in front of council in the below video from February 10th.
In contrast, Amy Van Voorhis spoke in support of the renewal. She said the funds are earmarked and used solely for streets and road improvements – the public knows where the funds are going and that they are used only for that. Additionally, she said the fund matches grants and funds from ODOT such as repaving of highway routes.
Van Voorhis said it is still a needed small tax, like it was in 2016. She also pointed out that senior citizens do not pay the tax, and they need to be encouraged to vote for it.
Hear her in her own words in the same video.
