Johnstown voters elect new council members, reject proposed income tax increase
JOHNSTOWN − Voters in Johnstown added four new members to city council, but kept Mayor Donald Barnard as a council member.
Johnstown voters soundly defeated an income tax increase from 1% to 2.25% for those who work in the city. Johnstown residents working outside of the city would have received a 75% tax credit. The tax levy received just 40% support, according to final unofficial results.
The turnout appeared to be high at the Johnstown city offices voting location, according to one longtime city resident voting about 4:30 p.m. A line of voters extended out the door and down the sidewalk alongside the building.
"It's as crowded as I've ever seen it, other than one presidential election," Mary Cool said. "I've lived here 38-40 years."
Four candidates sought the three full-term council positions. Barnard and newcomers Jeffrey Barr and Tiffany Hollis were also elected. Kyle Cook finished 20 votes behind Barnard for the final spot.
More: Licking County election results for Nov. 7, 2023, including Newark council, school board
Barnard said some voters who opposed the income tax levy may have also opposed Barnard.
"I was the architect and the one behind the income tax increase, and maybe some people saw me as a negative because of that," Barnard said.
In a separate race, three candidates were unopposed for three unexpired council terms, which end Dec. 31, 2025. The three elected were incumbent Robert Orsini and newcomers Wesley Kobel and Dave Selan.
The income tax revenue was designated for public safety, economic development, operations efficiencies and capital improvement.
The city currently collects about $3.2 million annually from its income tax. The additional tax, the first increase in more than 40 years, would have provided an estimated $1.5 million.
Barnard and City Manager Sean Staneart both said the city will likely return to the ballot with another tax issue because Johnstown is in dire need of the funds.
"I do think we'll go back to the drawing board," Barnard said. "It has to (return to the ballot). We have no money and have to position Johnstown into the future."
Voters disagreed on the city's need for additional revenue.
"We're going to need it for roads, everything concerning Intel," Linda Mash said. "It's going to cost my husband and I a little more. I figure the town needs it."
Cris Lopez said, "I feel like we already have high taxation and inflation. It's not something we need right now."
William Scranton said, "I just don't think they put the money where it needs to go."
Megan Raphael said, "I support it because Johnstown is a growing community and I think it currently has one of the lowest tax rates in the state of Ohio."
Johnstown changed from a village to a city two years ago, becaming the fourth city located entirely in Licking County, along with Newark, Pataskala and Heath.
The 2020 U.S. Census revealed Johnstown passed the threshold of 5,000 residents, forcing the change, effective Oct. 21, 2021. Johnstown, which had 3,440 residents in 2000, reached 5,182 according to the 2020 census.
Some of the changes that come with being a city are collective bargaining with unions and responsibility for maintenance of U.S. 62 and Ohio 37 in the village.
The city spends about 33% of its general fund on its police department and 33% to pay off its debt, Barnard said. That leaves 33% to run the rest of the city, except for the water and sewer department, which has its own revenue.
Barnard, 50, became mayor Nov. 1, 2022, when council voted for him following a series of unsuccessful attempts to choose a mayor and council president. The mayor is a part-time job performed by one of the seven council members.
Council President Jon Merriman did not seek a return to council but ran as a candidate for Monroe Township trustee.
Johnstown voters recalled Chip Butcher as mayor and Marvin Block as council president on Aug. 27, 2022. The recall came in a turbulent year of resignations, accusations, investigations, interim appointments, social media attacks, city council executive sessions and a reference to a “civil war” in the community.
Barnard is an accountant for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. He moved to the Columbus area in 2000 for a job opportunity, eventually settling in Johnstown 10 years ago. He’s a nine-year Air Force veteran and has 23 years working in accounting.
Hollis, 46, owner/operator of three small businesses in Johnstown, is co-founder/vice president of the current Johnstown Chamber of Commerce. She is a board member for Preservation Ohio, treasurer for Johnstown Historical Society and a member of the Johnstown Events Committee and Johnstown Tree Commission.
Barr, 53, is assistant director of landscape services for Ohio State University. He has nearly 30 years of municipal government leadership, including work with budgets, grant writing and administration, project management, fleet management, personnel management and union negotiations.
Cook, 40, is district sales manager at TECH Rubber Company in Johnstown. He served nine years in the Army National Guard, with two years active duty stateside in various positions of leadership, training, crisis management and planning.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Johnstown elects new council members, rejects income tax increase
