The St. Joseph County Council met Thursday night to discuss whether it would be feasible to get through 2010 without raising the option income tax nine and a half tenths of one percent, to 1.75 percent.

Discussions included closing parks and cutting county ambulance services to make the 2010 budget work.

But officials stressed they don’t know what will happen next week. The South Bend Council votes on the income tax hike Monday July 13th; and the St. Joseph County Council is scheduled to vote on Tuesday July 14th.

Back in December a similar tax hike didn’t get passed after the St. Joseph County Council cancelled two votes.

Around the St. Joseph County Fair Thursday night, folks had different responses to the proposed local option income tax.

"Everybody's hurting, and if we have to cut back, they have to cut back," said Barry Naragon, a South Bend resident.

"I think we're doing too much taxes, they keep giving us more taxes and we're not getting nothing out of it," said Keith Singleton, a resident of St. Joseph County.

"Raising taxes would be kinda tough, but if you don't raise the taxes, you don't get the services," said John L. Ray, a South Bend resident.

South Bend mayor Stephen Luecke say the jobs of 19 South Bend Police officers and 40 firefighters are at stake.

"I think the aspect with the police and fire is absolutely scare tactics," said Tom Clemans, a Granger resident.

A tax increase in St. Joseph County has to be approved by two of the three governments, which include South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County.