Avon Lake voters do not approve Issue 13 for Roads and Capital Improvements Program

05/06/2026 – Avon Lake, Ohio – Avon Lake voters did not approve Issue 13 in the May 5 election. The measure would have provided additional funding for the City’s Roads and Capital Improvements Program through a proposed 0.4% municipal income tax adjustment.

If approved, the measure would have marked the first such increase in over 30 years, temporarily adjusting the municipal income tax rate from 1.5% to 1.9% for a five-year period and generating an estimated $6.6 million annually for road improvements, stormwater management projects, capital equipment, and related debt payments. The proposal also included the elimination of the City’s existing 1.5-mill operating property tax.

Mayor Mark Spaetzel said the City respects the outcome of the vote and appreciates residents’ participation in the process. “I want to thank all of the many residents who took the time to learn about Issue 13 and make their voices heard,” Spaetzel said. “The City will continue to evaluate its options and plan for infrastructure needs while maintaining essential services for our community.”

Avon Lake’s municipal income tax rate has remained at 1.5% since 1992. During that time, the city has experienced growth and increased demand for infrastructure maintenance and services, along with rising capital-improvement costs. City officials have taken steps in recent years to manage expenses, including reducing operating budgets, limiting overtime, pursuing health care savings, and seeking grants and other funding sources. These efforts, however, cannot keep pace with the rising cost of maintaining roads and infrastructure.

More information about the Avon Lake Roads and Capital Improvements Program is available at avonlake.org.

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