FREMONT

The Sandusky County commissioners have approved an emergency sales tax hike that's set to go into effect Oct. 1.

The tax increase will take the county sales tax from 6.75 percent to 7 percent for three years.

At two community meetings last week, the commissioners explained to residents that the increase was necessary to shore up the general fund, which has suffered in recent years.

The commissioners made up for a massive decrease in investment income this year by using $1 million from a savings account and cutting departments across the board.

Taking from savings isn't an option they'll have this year if they want to keep their good credit rating, which requires them to maintain a 10 percent carry over.

"We've tried to bring it down as much as we can," commissioner Terry Thatcher said at the meeting. "It's a sad way of going. The only way we can raise money is by raising taxes."

Without the additional tax, which will bring in about $1.3 million per year, the commissioners said they would have to cut $1.5 million out of the 2011 budget, causing large scale layoffs and reductions in service.

The commissioners approved the tax to take effect in October so the sales tax revenue will start flowing into the general fund by January.

Public reaction to the tax increase was tepid.

Residents against the measure can petition for the repeal of the law after it takes effect. The earliest opportunity to put it on the ballot would be in the primary election in May.

The number of signatures needed to place the item on the ballot will depend on how many people vote in the November election.