MARYSVILLE, Ohio -- The vote was close but, in the end, the city's request for an income-tax increase lost by 104 votes yesterday, according to final, unofficial results.

There are still 118 provisional votes yet to be counted, and additional absentee ballots postmarked before Election Day could still come in to the Union County Board of Elections, but Mayor Christiane Schmenk isn't hopeful.

She conceded the loss late last night, after Union County's election results were delayed because of a problem at one polling location.

"We had an incredible showing of support and we are grateful," she said. "Now, we must step back and figure out what comes next."

The city currently collects about $8.5 million annually on its 1 percent income tax. This increase to 1.5 percent was expected to bring in an estimated $4 million more.

That money would have paid for a new police station, a municipal court building and a second fire station. A core group of city officials and volunteers targeted the residents of Mill Valley, the city's largest subdivision and the one with the most to gain by a new fire station and nine new firefighters to run it.

The additional money, however, also would have helped the city maintain services and avoid cuts. Now, residents will see cuts in service soon, although not at the police and fire departments, the mayor said.

hzachariah@dispatch.com

Residents will see cuts in service soon, but not at the police and fire departments.