When Ohio University students vote in Athens this November, some of the issues they will face could have a statewide reach.
Two statewide issues will appear on the ballot, along with as many as three local issues — depending on where students live — that could affect local taxes: the Athens City School District and two volunteer fire departments.
The first statewide issue, Issue 1, is part of the Constitution of the State of Ohio that allows voters to call for a convention of the state legislature every 20 years to make changes to the Ohio Constitution, according to documents from the Ohio Secretary of State.
Issue 2, if passed, would amend the state constitution to create a state-funded commission of appointed officials to establish congressional and state legislative district lines. The issue was created after districts drawn by Republicans during the 2010 redistricting process fostered controversy about gerrymandering.
Elected officials in the state legislature vote on the district lines. The issue would create a panel of 12 appointed members to create and vote on district plans.
The most expensive local issue on the ballot is the renewal of the tax levy for the Athens City School District.
The levy proposes to renew the $3,200,000 that the district already receives and increase it by another $500,000 for a five-year period. The levy will provide emergency funds for the school district, according to documents from the Athens County Board of Elections.
“The current levy of 7.18 mills will actually cost less than the originally proposed levy that was 7.78 mills,” said Carl Martin, superintendent of the Athens City Schools District.
A mill is equal to $0.001 of the value of a taxpayer’s home. If someone owns a home worth $100,000, the levy would cost the homeowner about $720 a year in taxes.
Any tax increases will not affect OU students, because the university is exempt from real estate taxes in Athens, Martin said.
Though students who live off campus will pay for the levy through their rent, tenants will likely not see an increase in rent costs because landlords will eat the cost.
The Plains and Richland Volunteer Fire Districts each have renewal levies, according to documents from the Athens County Board of Elections.
The renewals are for two mills and would fund fire protection in the districts for the next five years. Two mills would cost $200 for a $100,000 home.
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