1 development and 13 issues moved in Toledo

Beverly subdivision (Habitat for Humanity)

Beverly neighborhood, Toledo, Ohio (former school lot)

A Habitat for Humanity subdivision on a former TPS school lot goes before the Plan Commission November 5.

Discussed — no decision yet

Cold Blue Winter Sheltering and Funding Deficits

$80,000 from the General Fund would support Code Blue warming centers this winter through the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board.

What it means: $80,000 from the General Fund.

Zoning application scam emails

President Williams says constituents are being scammed out of thousands by fake emails claiming to represent the city's zoning department. She's sending an official referral asking what safeguards exist.

What it means: Residents who apply for zoning approvals and could be targeted by scammers.

Beverly subdivision / Habitat for Humanity proposal

Councilman Martinez flagged a November 5 plan commission meeting on a Habitat for Humanity subdivision on a former school lot in the Beverly neighborhood. He'd rather see the land go to market-rate or senior housing and has filed referrals to the Department of Neighborhoods and the school board.

What it means: Families seeking affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity.

Flock Automated License Plate Reader Contracts

Councilman Martinez's ordinance would write TPD's technology-use limits into law, require monthly review of federal data-sharing connections, and hold officers accountable for misuse. He's also exploring geofencing cameras off near schools, churches, and other sensitive places.

What it means: Residents worried about surveillance misuse, immigrant communities, and people who protest.

Youth Transit Pass and Community Program Funding

A $40,000 pilot would give up to 3,576 Toledo kids free TARTA bus passes from January through May, filling the gap when the summer program ends. Youth consistently tell the city transportation is a barrier to jobs and school.

What it means: $40,000 from the General Fund, with TARTA covering any overage.

Electric Police Vehicles Purchase

The city plans to spend $210,809 on electric police vehicles and chargers, assigned to community service officers whose daytime schedules suit charging. Members discussed cold-weather reliability and how EVs fit into patrol fleet planning.

What it means: $210,809 transferred from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund.

Fresh Start Utility Debt Relief Program Extension

The Fresh Start program has cut delinquent utility debt from about $61 million to $38 million and generated $8 million in collections. Inactive accounts — vacant properties and moved customers — are the next collection challenge for 2027.

What it means: About $38 million in active delinquent utility debt remains, plus $2.94 million in write-offs still being processed.

General Fund Revenue and Business Net Profits

Income tax collections are down $7.8 million (4.7%) this year, with auto industry retooling cutting withholding and individual payments down three months straight. The city expects to finish about $5 million behind last year.

What it means: About $5 million less in collections than 2025, with the $231.8 million projection at risk if auto industry withholding keeps sliding.

2026 City Operating Budget

The city laid out two 2027 budget paths: with Issue 16, new police and fire hires, open pools, and neighborhood investments; without it, 73 layoffs, closed pools, no curbside recycling, and drained reserves by 2029. Cuts to contracts, leadership, and vacancies happen either way.

What it means: With Issue 16, about $20-25 million in new annual income tax revenue; without it, the city burns through its roughly $21.8 million fund balance by 2028 and faces a $3.5 million deficit in 2029.

Flock camera system audit

The city auditor's audit of the Flock license plate reader system is in field work, but the release will slip past early November while the Law Department checks CJIS compliance on the data. Council members asked for a plain-language outline of the audit scope.

What it means: Council and residents get independent scrutiny of how license plate data is being used and shared.

Fire and Rescue Department Infrastructure and Staffing

The firefighters' union says Toledo Fire is in crisis: ambulances running without backups, run volume up three- to four-fold since the 1980s while daily staffing rose only ten, and a GIS study showing the city needs three more stations. Issue 16 funding for 40-firefighter classes is framed as a need, not a want.

What it means: Three new fire stations with rigs and staffing would cost millions of dollars each; Issue 16 would fund 40-firefighter recruit classes annually.

Issue 16 Neighborhood Safety Income Tax Levy

The city laid out two 2027 budget paths: with Issue 16, new police and fire hires, open pools, and neighborhood investments; without it, 73 layoffs, closed pools, no curbside recycling, and drained reserves by 2029. Cuts to contracts, leadership, and vacancies happen either way.

What it means: With Issue 16, about $20-25 million in new annual income tax revenue; without it, the city burns through its roughly $21.8 million fund balance by 2028 and faces a $3.5 million deficit in 2029.

Proposed 1/4% Municipal Income Tax Levy

Income tax collections are down $7.8 million (4.7%) this year, with auto industry retooling cutting withholding and individual payments down three months straight. The city expects to finish about $5 million behind last year.

What it means: About $5 million less in collections than 2025, with the $231.8 million projection at risk if auto industry withholding keeps sliding.