( Hamilton County ) - "Something has to change. Our reliance on funding from the City of Cincinnati has not allowed us to serve areas outside of the city." That statement from the chair of the Southern Ohio Regional Transit Authority Board, Jason Dunn, as board members voted unanimously Tuesday to put a sales tax increase on the 2018 Hamilton County ballot.
The exact amount of the levy hasn't been determined yet. It could be a half-cent increase, a three-fourths of a cent increase, or a full one-cent hike. If approved by voters, the money would help fill in a budget gap for Metro, and expand service into the county. Metro says none of the money would go toward the Cincinnati Bell Connector.
Currently, SORTA receives no money from Hamilton County. A decision on how large of an increase will go on the ballot will be made next year.