ELECTION 2004

• Kerry film stirs storm • Roundtable and a coney • Fairfield levy opponent says his truck vandalized • Senator keeps eye on economy • Senate foes set to debate • Dearborn to elect two commission newcomers • Monroe tax issue on ballot • Clooney ads deny he would raise Social Security taxes • Election 2004 section

If approved, Monroe's income tax would increase from 1 percent to 1.5 percent. Funds generated by the increase would be used to support police and fire wages and fund capital improvements. Similar requests failed in November 2003 and August. Monroe was placed in fiscal emergency by the state in August. Finance Director Jay Stewart said if the income tax issue does not pass, city officials will be forced to make serious cuts.

"We've been saying we've been maintaining at a bare-bones capacity, and we can do that for another year at most," Stewart said

The proposed increase would generate about $1.5 million in 2005. A worker who earns an annual salary of $30,000 would pay an additional $150 per year.

In the past three years, Monroe's population has jumped by nearly 24 percent to an estimated 8,821 residents.

Resident Brenda Holden won't support the hike.

"Everything has gone up, and people are just going to have to do with what they have," Holden said.

In Waynesville, residents will decide whether their village should have a 0.5 percent income tax. If approved, the tax will generate an estimated $300,000 annually. It will be used for operations and capital improvements.

Finance Director Linda Jones said the tax is needed to offset a decline in the village's revenue.

"Council felt like it was the fairest way to do it because our senior citizens won't be affected like they would with a property tax," Jones said.

The issue will appear on the ballot as a result of a referendum petition by residents after council adopted an ordinance in April to enact the income tax.

Other Nov. 2 tax issues include:

• Trenton voters will decide two issues, including a 1.5-mill, five-year replacement fire levy that would generate $213,724 and cost the owner of a $100,000 house $45.94 annually, an increase of $10.64. Also, a charter amendment to restore a 1.5 percent income tax credit will be voted on. The city would lose $350,000 annually if full credit is restored.

• The residents of Seven Mile will decide a 2.69-mill, five-year renewal levy for operating expenses. The levy will raise $13,403 per year. Residents pay $34.56 annually for a $100,000 home.

• In Wayne Township, voters will decide a 1.3-mill, three-year additional fire levy which will generate $91,719 annually and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $39.81.

• Harveysburg residents will vote on a five-year, 2.5-mill street maintenance levy. The levy will raise $20,000 per year and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $76.56.