Mansfield City Council discussed placing a 0.25 percent income tax levy for street and road repairs on the May ballot at their meeting Wednesday night.

 Mayor Tim Theaker said the "pothole tax" is a renewal and not a new tax.
 

"The tax is set aside for the infrastructure of the roads to keep them at a level that citizens are expecting," Theaker said.

"The 0.25 percent income tax renewal will generate $3 million annually and is earmarked for the street repairs not for labor," Theaker said.

The tax has been collected since 1985 and has been approved by voters every four years.  The current tax approved in 2009 will  expire in July.

Council is expected to vote on Jan. 15 to place the pothole tax on the May ballot.
 

In other business, council authorized the Safety-Service Director to accept $25,000 from an anonymous donor and $10,000 from the Richland County Foundation to be used as the city's share towards the cost to replace the North Lake Pedestrian Bridge over Touby's Run.

Council also held the first reading for legislation giving the city's approval to the state to paint new pavement markings along U.S. 30.

The project includes widening the edge lines from 4 to 6 inches. The project is scheduled for this summer.

Council also the demolition of a two-story duplex at 317-319 W. Fourth St.