Preliminary results indicate a large percentage of voters supported the measure.
Preliminary results indicate a large percentage of voters supported the measure. (Robert Sciarrino | The Star-Ledger)NEWARK -- Voters in the city have approved a measure to increase taxes in order to fund improvements to parkland along the Passaic River, according to preliminary vote tallies Tuesday night.
With about 95 percent of preliminary votes counted, 5,685 Newarkers - about 85 percent of voters who turned out - voted in favor of the measure.
The referendum, according to the county clerk's office, will increase the open space and recreational fund levy from 1 cent per $100 of assessed value to 3 cents. The increase, which will be in effect for 30 years, will be used to expand Riverfront Park.
MORE: Results of 2015 Assembly, local, county, school races
The Newark city council voted in July to add the question to the ballot. Officials at the time said the tax increase would raise about $2.4 million each year, which would be used to acquire and pay for a $30 million bond to complete the city's portion of Newark Riverfront Park.
The question was the only Newark matter on the ballot Tuesday. See the results of countywide and other Essex municipal races here.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
