Mayor Jackson warns that this year’s projected $566 million budget will only leave a $722,000 surplus to start with in 2017. He says raising the income tax to 2.5 percent is the only way to avoid a serious budget deficit next year because of drastic state funding cuts, police reform costs, declining property taxes, lost traffic camera revenues and other factors.

Besides avoiding cuts, Jackson says the proposed increase would allow the city to grow some services. And that’s the simple message he wants voters to get.

“If you support this, this is what you’re guaranteed to get in terms of additional service in safety or other places. If you choose not to support it, this is what you’ll get in terms of reduction of service or the elimination of service and people being laid off. It’s a clear choice and it’s not a threat.”

Jackson says the half-percent income tax increase would generate about $83 million. Commuters from the suburbs pay most of Cleveland's income tax. With City Council’s approval, the tax increase could make the November ballot.