SALEM - Two public hearings have been set by Mayor Jerry Wolford to present the half percent four-year income tax increase for capital improvements.

The issue is on the Nov. 3 ballot.

But while City Council members encouraged people to attend and learn the details of the increase, two opposed to the tax spoke against it at Tuesday's council meeting.

Councilman Bud Schory said he has concerns about the proposal that $600,000 per year is to go toward a city streets program. Schory feels that the city already has a streets program and if it's true no money will be moved around, he does not see a need for the additional money.

This year's streets program was reduced to only $160,000 due to a lack of capital improvement funds. It is scheduled to begin soon. The amount spent on the streets program has also been reduced in recent previous years due to a lower percentage of income tax money going toward the capital improvements fund as the city attempts to balance the general fund.

Schory also was concerned that another $2.4 million is focused toward the development of the industrial park at the Quaker City Raceway, property that the city has not even purchased yet.

"If the citizens want it, I don't see any problem with us having other capital improvements projects," Schory said. "As I've previously said I don't think our citizens can afford it in these economic times, but it is up to them."

Nestic said he also wanted to echo some of Schory's sentiments, especially about the industrial park project.

"Although I think the spirit behind the desire to increase the taxes is worthy, I don't think this is the right way to do it, especially trying to sell it on the basis that a lot of people that won't have to pay the tax could vote for it and those people are being prompted and promoted to go vote on this," Nestic said. "I ask them to think twice before they impose a heavier tax on those people that are struggling in our community now trying to build their life savings so they can retire someday."

The public hearings are set for 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28.

In other matters before council:

- Council did not vote on the ordinance to create the line item for a downtown party after the Quaker City event next summer. In order to have both second and third readings on Tuesday it would have required six votes by council to suspend the rules. It only received five as both Councilmen Clyde Brown and Schory voted against it.

- Leaf pickup has begun. The city will pick up bagged leaves only. Director of Service and Safety Steve Andres urges everyone not to rake leaves into piles along the curbs because they clog storm sewers. If leaves are left in the bags for a couple of days, he asks residents to call city hall.

Councilwoman Mary Ann Dzuracky asked if it would be possible for the city to consider letting residents use more eco-friendly paper bags for leaves. Andres said those bags are more expensive, but he has spoken to the three county solid waste district and they do not have bags or a program to help pay for them available, but they are looking at it.

- Andres also reported the streets signalization project is nearly complete.

Law Director Brooke Zellers asked about the cameras, which he has received several telephone calls about. Andres reiterated that they are low-resolution cameras incapable of picking up license plate numbers due to red light violations. Instead they are used to monitor how many are waiting to turn left and other traffic flow issues so the computer system can adjust the length of lights.

Schory also questioned whether the new traffic pattern on Broadway where northbound and southbound traffic will now be flowing simultaneously will work with the "jog" in the intersection. Andres said he has the same concerns, but has gone over the issue with the design engineer and been assured there is room in the intersection even for those turning. He did offer the matter can be monitored, but if a left turn light is needed, it will have to be paid for entirely by the city.

- Council unanimously passed a resolution to support state Issue 2, which creates an Ohio board to create livestock regulations as opposed to allowing a national group to control such regulations.

- A candidates forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Salem City Center.

djohnson@mojonews.com