Mayor Aftab Pureval is publicly pressuring the Cincinnati Public Schools board to pull its proposed income tax levy from the November ballot, a move that could shift the financial burden from east-side wage earners to homeowners days before the board votes August 3.

Pureval announced July 31, that he wants the CPS Board of Education to withdraw its 0.75% earned income tax levy and said he is shelving his own planned city earnings tax increase. He told WVXU that "taxes are already squeezing our residents" and cited the war in Iran and fluctuating tariffs as economic pressures on families.

The board's Monday meeting agenda includes a motion to rescind the income tax levy it approved 5-2 on July 27. If the board rescinds, it could immediately vote to replace it with a 7-mill or 8-mill property tax levy, Board President Brandon Craig told the Cincinnati Business Courier.

What each option costs Hyde Park and Oakley families

The income tax levy would hit wage earners only. A household earning $50,000 would pay $375 per year; one earning $100,000 would pay $750. It would not apply to Social Security, pensions, or investment income, and retirees would largely be exempt.

A property tax levy would hit homeowners regardless of income. Under the 8-mill option, a home at the district-average value of $285,000 would cost about $800 per year. Many homes in Hyde Park, Oakley, and Mount Lookout are assessed well above that average, meaning actual costs would be higher.

Both levy options span five years and are projected to generate between $65 million and $75 million annually for the district.

Stakes if the levy fails

Craig warned that without new revenue, the district faces school closures or mass teacher layoffs, calling it "a drastic hit directly at students and education."

The cuts have already started. CPS slashed 111 positions in June 2026, including 12 social workers, 10 assistant principals, and 8 counselors. The district closed a $58 million budget gap to balance its $634.6 million general fund this school year through staffing reductions, five furlough days, and a 10% cut in non-personnel spending.

He told WCPO on July 31 that further budget cuts are no longer sustainable. CPS has not secured new operating money from voters since 2008.

Political headwinds

Both the Hamilton County Republican and Democratic parties have publicly opposed the income tax levy. Pureval had pledged at his January 6, 2026, inauguration to propose a city income tax increase of about 0.2% for the November ballot but reversed course Friday, saying the economic climate makes any tax hike untenable.

As we reported July 29, the rescission motion was added to Monday's agenda at the request of a board member under board policy.

At the July 27 board meeting, Craig acknowledged the difficulty of either path: "I'll be truthful. I have concerns with how both of these options will be received by the public. To tell a person who does not currently pay real estate taxes whatsoever that I'm going to take additional funds out of your pocket while gas prices are $4 a gallon, not going to be received well either."

What to watch Monday

The board must act before the Hamilton County filing deadline to place any levy on the November 3 ballot. Craig said he does not know the outcome of Monday's vote but confirmed that if the income tax is rescinded, any of the three levy options could be introduced from the floor. Monday's meeting is the last chance for the board to decide what east-side residents will be asked to pay.