ELYRIA, Ohio — Lorain County officials are warning of deep budget cuts expected to significantly impact staffing and service after 70% of voters rejected Issue 1, a proposed 0.25% sales tax increase that would have generated about $13 million annually.

Commissioners Jeff Riddell and David Moore said Friday that the coming weeks will bring difficult discussions about how to balance the budget without the additional sales tax revenue that was intended to help fund the county sheriff’s office. Commissioner Marty Gallagher was not in attendance at Friday’s meeting.

“I don’t know where it’s going to end, but as a county we have to decide… how are we going to run our county?” Moore said.

Officials had hoped the sales tax increase would allow the county to cap its general fund contribution to

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