LORDSTOWN — In May 2023, Lordstown voters approved an additional 0.5% income tax to be used for the fire department, which was on top of an existing 1% income tax for the general fund.

Village officials will ask voters in November to approve one change to the 0.5% income tax portion that is designated for the fire department so the funds also can be used to build a new fire station.

Village council voted at their meeting Monday to send the change of purpose of the income tax issue to the Trumbull County Board of Elections for their review and for approval for placement on the November ballot.

Solicitor Matt Ries said approval will be needed by both the local board of elections and the Secretary of State’s Division of Elections to get the issue on the ballot.

Fire Chief Travis Eastham said when the original 0.5% additional tax was on the ballot, it specified what the funds can be used for but did not include construction of a fire station.

Woodward and Eastham said officials have discussed the need for a new fire station as an increased number of fire crew and more equipment and vehicles can’t all fit in the current building.

Officials have said the 1.5% income tax generates between $1.2 million and $1.4 million annually. In May 2023, about 65% of the voters supported the increase, which has 1% going to the general fund and 0.5% going to the fire department and emergency medical service.

Officials said funds from the half percent tax allow the department to hire full-time fire and EMS personnel, maintain the existing staff and replace trucks and other vehicles.

The income tax levy was chosen because the fire department answers a considerable number of calls to local businesses and companies. Only those who work in Lordstown pay the tax, which officials said is 18% to 20% of the residents who live and work in the village.

Council also approved advertising for an additional full-time firefighter as the department is down a staff member.

In another matter, Woodward said there was a fire on Thursday at the Imperial Mobile Home Park. She said mutual aid was provided at the scene by neighboring fire departments, mostly for more water.

Woodward said “unnecessary and unproductive comments” were posted on social media that claimed the Lordstown safety crews were not prepared and stood around while other departments providing the mutual aid did all the work.

She said this is not true, noting the Lordstown fire and police personnel were working at the fire scene and did receive mutual aid assistance for water, just as Lordstown provides mutual aid assistance to other communities where there are fires and other emergencies.

Also, Woodward asked officials to consider the village use the services of the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) for income tax collections and payroll. She said RITA has been used by McDonald, Niles, Newton Falls and Youngstown as a third-party agency that helps with the facilitation of income tax for the communities.

Woodward said RITA would provide assistance to the village. Council approved Woodward looking into RITA and its services further.