The proposed half-percent, four-year capital improvement city income tax fell in a convincing manner as city voters gave a "no" vote to it on Tuesday's ballot.

According to complete but unofficial results from the Columbiana County Board of Elections 2,309 (71.75 percent) people voted against the tax while 909 (28.25 percent) voters said "yes" to it.

Mayor Jerry Wolford launched a last-minute local cable television and door-to-door campaign for the tax and said the economy was pretty much responsible for its defeat.

"I'm sorry it didn't pass," he said, "the main issue, of course, was the economy which kept people from voting for taxes.

"City council now has to face some tough decisions on the budget."

Wolford was unsure if the city could continue operating with an 85-percent general fund and 15-percent capital improvement budget split.

Whether that meant lay-offs, Wolford said he didn't know, adding he expects to meet with the Finance committee to "pare things down."

He added, "I'll certainly work with council."

The tax would have raised about $1.8 million in additional revenue annually from January of 2010 until Dec. 31, 2013.

During the campaign, Wolford called the tax "an important issue ... a watershed ... and the only solution for the city" while noting that all four city unions have backed the issue.

The money was to have been targeted for capital improvements only and not for general fund expenses like salaries.

A "yes" vote would have provided citywide curb-to-curb street paving, storm water upgrades for flooding issues, completion of the East Pershing Street extension with a rear exit from the Marc's Plaza, and economic development by way of future job sites.

Wolford said it is up to council if it wanted to try the tax again.

"I think this was our best try ... with this economy ... we had to put it out there and we did," he said, adding that the infrastructure needs remain.