While voters throughout Ohio were at work to give Republicans additional four-year terms in statewide offices — including Gov. John Kasich’s victory over Democrat Ed FitzGerald — those in Athens County and City also had to scrutinize a number of measures to increase taxes.
Those residents passed all eight ballot issues in Tuesday’s midterm election, six of which raised taxes in some manner.
Issue 1
54.18 percent of Athens County voters passed continued funding for the tuberculosis board for five years, starting in 2016.
The Athens County Tuberculosis Board has been granted a 0.3 mill renewal levy. The levy was measured at about $160,000 a year, costing a $100,000 household $5 a year in property taxes.
Issue 2
64.75 percent of Athens County voters passed the library levy.
The library levy will raise $900,000 in funds for Athens County Public Libraries over the next five years. This tax costs $100,000 households about $35 annually in property taxes.
Issue 4
73.94 percent of Athens County voters opted to pass the senior citizens levy that will help fund the Meals-On-Wheels program.
The senior citizen levy continues the roughly .25 mill levy for the next five years. This levy costs $100,000 households $7.88 in property taxes annually. The levy will generate $230,000 for senior nutrition services in Athens County.
Issue 5
71.62 percent of Athens County voters opted to pass the Athens County Emergency Medical Services levy.
The EMS levy is a 1 mill replacement levy that will generate $900,000 annually. Those funds will help values of property taxes, fuel, supplies and vehicles that haven’t been touched since 2011, The Post previously reported. The levy will cost $100,000 households $35 a year in property taxes.
Issue 6
58.79 percent of Athens County voters opted to pass the Developmental Disability levy.
Issue 6 will provide the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities $1.3 million per year, costing $100,000 households $52.50 in property taxes a year.
Issue 7
78.28 percent of Athens city residents voted in favor of approving the Athens City Bill of Rights.
Issue 7 bans hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in Athens city limits.
Issue 8
68.78 percent of Athens voted in favor of the city of Athens’ Department of Arts, Parks and Recreation income tax levy.
Issue 8 provides funding for the renovation of Athens city parks. This levy replaces the current one, resulting in a 0.1 percent income tax increase. The tax increase will be instated for the next 20 years.
Issue 9
62.11 percent of Athens residents flocking to the 3rd Ward’s 4th precinct polling station voted in favor of allowing Sunday alcohol sales at Busy Day Market, 30 W. Stimson Avenue.
jf311013@ohio.edu
@Fair3Julia
