HAMILTON — Butler County voters may get a chanceto express their opinion about the sales tax increase imposed Monday by county commissioners.

        West Chester Township Trustee Catherine Stoker and Hamilton resident Terry Bridge, two Democrats who ran unsuccessfully last year against the two commissioners who voted for the tax hike, are leading a referendum effort to place the sales tax increase on the ballot.

        “The voters should be the ones to decide if they're going to spend millions of dollars over the next 10 years instead of having politicians shove it down their throats,” Mr. Bridge said Friday.

        Commissioners Mike Fox and Chuck Furmon, both Republicans, voted to raise the county sales tax from 5.5 percent to 6 percent for six years beginning March 1 and then drop it to 5.75 percent for four years. Commissioner Courtney Combs voted against it.

        The $129 million the tax hike would generate would be used to pay for major road improvements and other projects designed to boost economic development and attract good-paying jobs.

        To place the issue on the ballot, Ms. Stoker and Mr. Bridge need to gather at least 8,842 valid signatures on referendum petitions and file them with the Butler County Board of Elections by Jan. 15.

        In last year's general election, Ms. Stoker failed in her bid to unseat Mr. Furmon, and Mr. Fox defeated Mr. Bridge.

        But they emphasized that the referendum drive is not restricted to Democrats.

        “This is about all Butler County residents — Democrats, Republicans and independents,” Mr. Bridge said. “The sales tax money will come out of everybody's pockets.”

        Shirley Lane, 63, of West Chester Township, said she would sign a referendum petition.

        “We pay enough taxes,” she said. “My husband and I are retired. We're taxed to death by he schools. We don't need another tax.”

        Chuck Smith, owner of Hamilton-Fairfield Dodge Jeep in Hamilton, said he supports the referendum drive.

        “I believe it's the only way to take control of government expenditure,” said Mr. Smith, who identified himself as a Republican.

        Ms. Stoker said the county should raise revenue for some of these projects by such financial tools as tax increment financing and benefits assessment districts before resorting to a tax increase.

        “I'm all for economic development,” she said. “But taxes should not be the first and best source of revenue for economic development.”

        “What Catherine and Terry are doing is waging war against jobs and progress,” Mr. Fox said. “We're trying to make Butler County a center for economic growth and high-value jobs.

        He and Mr. Furmon accused Ms. Stoker and Mr. Bridge of using the sales tax increase for political purposes.

        “They both ran for public office in the past, and they're hoping to get in the limelight for personal gain,” Mr. Furmon said.

Internet appeal for sick girl goes awry
Deters gives up bid for attorney general
Hispanics miss family at holidays
Santa gives out joy he missed as a kid
UC adding sprinklers to temporary buildings
Cincinnati city government is restructured
Local Digest
Police help Santa deliver gifts
THOMPSON: Church opening Sunday
Colerain residents surveyed about streams
Congrats
McNUTT: Old-style readers form group
Sales tax might go on ballot
Boy, 16, accused of threat to kill teacher
Fairfield levy postponed
MRDD purchasers won't be prosecuted
Deerfield showing meetings on cable
NKU gets fed money to study Underground Railroad
Institutes lay study groundwork
Police looking for slaying victim's car
Special prosecutor named in shooting case
Chamber offers political classes
Kentucky Digest
Mediator appointed for Dayton school case
New power plants OK for air, report says
Police promise close monitoring of sex offenders
Smokers can't get tobacco money
Transit agency faces up to scandals