The Bartholomew County Council is considering an increase to the local income tax rate as a way to balance the county’s budget and to improve public safety.

Laura DeDomenic, the council president, says that after all the budget hearings and increased spending requests were made, the county is looking at deficit spending of about $1.7 million dollars next year.

DeDomenic, the council president, says that the increase would be half a percentage point and would raise about $4.8 million dollars annually. Of the proposed increase, half would go directly to public safety needs, focusing on the jail, courts and youth services center. She said part of the stress on the system is due to the heroin epidemic.

She explains where the money would go:

During last week’s council work session, she urged other council members who oppose the income tax increase to come back with a plan of how the county should better make ends meet.

DeDomenic said the reaction from the public has been largely positive so far.

But she suggested that if you want to make your voice heard, the council meets at 6 p.m. tomorrow night at the Bartholomew County Governmental Office Building on Third Street.