By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FAIRFAX - The second time was the charm for the first earnings tax increase in 23 years in this small eastern Hamilton County suburb.

Fifty-eight percent of voters, 243-173, passed an increase in the tax from 1.25 percent to 1.75 percent. The first attempt at an increase, in November, ended in a tie vote and sent the issue back to the ballot.

"We felt pretty sure it would pass this time," Mayor Ted Shannon said Wednesday. "Last time we didn't get much literature out. This time, we sent out three mailings to each of the 802 households and people were pretty much aware of it."

The passage means village streets will be resurfaced after a year's delay and maintenance equipment will be purchased, Shannon said.

Over the past three years, Fairfax has lost $232,069 in business revenues as several companies pulled out, village records show.

Daytime population is estimated to be 15,000 workers in about 200 businesses, Village Administrator Jennifer Kaminer said.

The extra $360,000 a year also will go to project to widen Red Bank Road and fix flooding along Little Duck Creek.

That $3 million project, expected to wrap up by late fall or early winter, is key to revitalizing this financially struggling community, leaders say.

Once a thriving business district, Red Bank Road has turned into an eyesore, an unappealing greeting for motorists heading into this village of 1,950 residents.

The road is being widened from two to four lanes from U.S. 50 north to the entrance to the Cincinnati Sports Club. Better flood controls and new curbs and storm sewers also are being installed.

A second phase of the project will continue the widening up to the existing four-lane section of Red Bank Road north of Brotherton Road.

"Once we start the redevelopment down there, things will come back to us," Shannon said.

Late last year, the Clean Ohio Council awarded a $3 million grant for the demolition and cleanup of the old Ford transmission plant on Red Bank.

A developer has pledged to build stores and offices on the 34-acre parcel.

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com