Springfield’s Convention and Visitors Bureau could see its funding eliminated after voters ultimately rejected an income-tax increase. Issue 2 would have raised income taxes from 2 to 2.4 percent for five years, generating an additional $6.7 million a year for the city.
The measure failed on Election Night by a narrow margin. But a final vote-count today on Tuesday morning by the Clark County Board of Elections shows the measure has failed by more than 220 votes.
Springfield officials say they may be forced to cut up to $1.5 million in funding for public safety, parks and other services, including tourism.
Convention and Visitors Bureau president Chris Schutte says the cuts would be devastating.
“We are the branding and marketing arm of our community. So you would have all those things literally go away overnight. The other things that go away is the Greater Springfield Farmers Market, the Holiday In The City, and unfortunately the downtown Champion City Guide and Supply retail store would go away as well,” Schutte says.
Springfield commissioners are expected to discuss city budget issues Tuesday at 8pm, at City Hall Forum. Officials say a vote on the city’s 2017 budget is expected on December 20th.
