Staff report

LOWELLVILLE — The village’s proposed 0.5-% income tax increase was soundly defeated by voters in Tuesday’s primary election.

The measure, which Lowellville Mayor James Iudiciani Sr. and village administrators said would generate an additional $137,000 annually, was rejected by voters by 70%-30%, according to unofficial results from the Mahoning County Board of Elections.

Just 150 votes were cast on the measure, according to the board.

The current income tax in the village is 2% and generates approximately $550,000 per year, according to information from village officials.

It was unclear at press time Tuesday night if Lowellville administrators planned to try again with the income tax increase in November’s general election.

Village officials sent an email in the days leading up to the primary and hosted a town hall Saturday in an effort to convince voters of the need for the increase in order to help fund infrastructure projects and aid Lowellville’s fire and police departments.

Village officials also urged the passage of Issue 2, a referendum on the renewal of the state’s Ohio Public Works Commission’s annual statewide grants.

Lowellville has received almost $6 million in funds from the OPWC since its inception 15 years ago, including more than $1.7 million this year alone.

Issue 2 soundly passed statewide.