Issue 1 would raise the income tax on residents and workers in the Columbus from 2 percent to 2.5 percent. Issue 2 would increase property taxes for the South-Western City Schools, which covers portions of Columbus as well as Grove City, Galloway, Urbancrest and several townships.

Columbus voter Dawn Wessa told 10TV News she was on the fence about how she'll vote Tuesday.

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"I know I'm voting for Issue 1," Wessa said. "I'm kind of torn on Issue 2."

The decision is crystal clear for Phillip Kinzer.

"I hope both of them fail," Kinzer told 10TV News.

Wessa, a mother of four, and Kinzer, a retiree, live in area of Columbus where voters will get to vote on both issues.

If Issue 1 passes it would raise their income taxes to help prevent the layoffs of more than 500 police and firefighters and raise as much as $95 million for the City of Columbus.

If Issue 2 passes, it would raise property taxes to help restore 4 million dollars of cuts for South-Western City Schools, which include athletics and other extracurricular activities.

"Everyone is a part of the community," said Grove City High School senior and baseball player Brandon Dountz. "If you're voting no against this levy, then you are voting no against this community and as part of this community, I feel like they are voting against me."

Those opposed to Issue 2 said they just cannot afford to pay additional taxes.

"We have paid and paid and paid," said Phyllis Corder. "I've been paying taxes for 60 years, and I don't even have any children. It's time to give the seniors a break."

Other opponents said the district will be fine if it learns to live and educate within its means.

"I'm not worried about them going down hill," said Carolyn Lanham. "We need to cut the administration their high paid salaries.  They need to work within a budget like we have to."

The Issue 2 school levy would cost the average homeowner in the district $355 more a year in property taxes.

Issue 1 would cost the average wage earner in Columbus $262 a year.

Early voting begins Monday at 8 a.m. at the Franklin County Board of Elections on East Broad Street in Downtown.

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