Licking County voters weigh in on transit sales tax in May primary
Licking County voters weigh in on transit sales tax in May primary
Josué Perez, Newark AdvocateTue, May 5, 2026 at 10:02 PM UTC
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Licking County voters are choosing whether to approve a tax levy for Licking County transit that the agency says would deliver them more funds amid an increase for its services.
The ballot issue in the May primary asks voters about implementing a 0.15% sales and use tax for 10 years, increasing the county’s sales tax rate to 1.65% during that period. The agency would use the funds to preserve and improve transit services and ensure long-term service availability to support access to transportation, according to a resolution Licking County Commissioners approved.
The tax would go into effect Oct. 1, and the transit agency would start collecting money from the tax in the months thereafter. Licking County’s sales tax rate is 1.5%.
Approval of the tax would give the agency a share of sales tax for the first time, joining Franklin County, where voters approved a designated tax for the Central Ohio Transit Authority.
Licking County Transit Executive Director Matthew Allison estimates the tax would generate between $3.5 million and $6 million annually for the agency. The agency has provided an increasing number of rides in recent years, jumping from 62,000 in 2022 to 136,000 in 2025. Staff expect that number will increase in 2026.
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“A levy creates a stable, reliable funding source and allows Licking County Transit to maintain current service levels, plan for future growth and avoid any service reductions as demand continues to rise,” Executive Director Matthew Allison said in an interview.
The agency in recent months has added new routes and bus shelters. It may possibly add more of each in the coming months or years. Money from the tax could help fund those efforts, as well as preserving the services it’s already launched, Allison said.
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Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County voters decide on transit sales tax levy
Source: “AOL Money”
