Toledo, Ohio – The city will begin laying off approximately 100 municipal employees on Jan. 4, 2027, according to a report from The Blade. Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz explained that the number exceeds earlier projections because voters rejected Issue 16 and because income‑tax collections fell short of expectations.
Budget shortfall drives broader cuts
The mayor said the layoffs will affect workers in every department, not just public‑safety staff. He added that the Kapszukiewicz administration will present its proposed 2027 budget to the City Council on Monday.
Issue 16, a temporary income‑tax increase intended to fund police, fire and neighborhood‑safety services, was turned down by voters. The measure would have raised the city’s income tax by a quarter‑percentage point, generating roughly $25 million a year for those services. Its defeat removed a key revenue source that the city had counted on when drafting its budget.
Impact on firefighters and other services
Joe Cira, president of Toledo Firefighters Local 92, told The Blade that the layoffs include “upwards of 20” firefighters. The city’s worst‑case budget scenario had projected about 73 layoffs, with roughly half of those in the police and fire departments.
Beyond personnel reductions, the city is considering additional cost‑saving measures. Proposed cuts include ending curbside recycling, reducing the number of crews working on blight remediation, and closing several city pools.
Mayor’s response and next steps
Mayor Kapszukiewicz emphasized that the administration is committed to maintaining essential services despite the reductions. He said the city will continue to prioritize public safety and core functions while seeking ways to balance the budget without overburdening taxpayers.
City officials have begun notifying affected employees, with notifications scheduled for Thursday and Friday. The mayor noted that the final composition of the 2027 budget, including which of the proposed service cuts will be enacted, remains unclear at this time.
Community reaction
Local leaders and community members have expressed concern about the potential impact on public‑safety staffing and city amenities. Some residents worry that reduced fire‑fighter numbers could affect response times, while others are anxious about the loss of recycling services and public‑pool access.
City Council members are expected to review the mayor’s budget proposal in the coming weeks, weighing the need for fiscal responsibility against the desire to preserve essential services for Toledo’s families.
Looking ahead
The layoffs underscore the challenges municipal governments face when voter‑approved revenue measures fail. As the city works through the budget process, officials say they will continue to explore alternative revenue options and efficiency measures to avoid further cuts.
Original reporting: 13abc WTVG Toledo (news) — read the source article.
