DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – The City of Dayton is asking for your vote this November on a new income tax proposal.

City officials claim they’ll have to make cuts, if voters don’t say yes to a new income tax increase that would fund public safety improvements and early education.

The quarter percent increase would cost the average voter who makes $35,000 per year, about $1.60 per week. If passed, the city says it’ll be able to add 20 new police officers to increase patrols in high crime areas.

The money will also go toward funding what officials call “universal pre-school”, providing high quality pre-school to all 4-year-olds in the City of Dayton.

Mayor Nan Whaley along with City Manager Shelley Dickstein kicked off their effort to gain support for the ballot initiative at McIntosh Park today. Dickstein says essential departments have been cut by 60 percent.

She says more cuts are coming if voters say no.

“Without the additional revenues, and without no other fat to cut in the organization we will have to make cuts,” Dickstein said. “We’ll have to make cuts in fire personnel and capital equipment if were not able to have additional revenues to support these essential services.”

Some of the money will also be spent on residential street paving and park improvements. Only people living in Dayton will have a say on the proposal on the November 8th ballot. However more than 70 percent of the funds will come from people who live outside city limits, but work in Dayton.