There are a number of ballot issues this fall.
Most news this election season might have swirled statewide around Democratic governor candidate Ed FitzGerald’s driving record or the Athens County Auditor’s race between Jill Thompson and Kathy Hecht locally.
But there are a number of issues on the ballot for Ohio University students that could impact where taxpayer money goes in Athens County.
Athens County Tuberculosis Board — Issue 1
The Athens County Tuberculosis Board has a $300,000 levy up for renewal this November — raising roughly $160,000 per year for the screening of populations most vulnerable to disease, board member and treasurer Ann Fugate said.
The levy will cost an Athens home valued at $100,000 about $5 annually, for a five-year term.
“When I was a kid, everyone got screened for TB all the time, but I’m very old,” Fugate said. “We screen vulnerable or at-risk populations, like people living in groups or international students.”
The board consists of three members, but is tasked with tackling what Fugate said is the “second most prevalent disease in the world.”
Athens County Public Libraries Levy — Issue 2
A proposed levy on the table for the midterm elections in November could potentially raise more than $900,000 for Athens County Public Libraries over the course of five years, annually.
Athens County library director, meaning that a property valued at $100,000 would pay $35 a year.
Athens is “in the minority” when it comes to library levies, Miller said. Most other library systems have already implemented local levies to fund their services. Of the 252 public library systems in the state, Miller said, 176 have raised levies currently financing.
Athens County Senior Citizens Levy — Issue 4
Issue 4 is a renewal levy for Athens County Senior Citizens Services. The renewal continues the $250,000 levy for another five years, costing each $100,000 home $7.88 in taxes annually. The levy would generate about $230,000 for senior nutrition services in Athens County.
According to an pamphlet from Issue 4 proponents, the funds from the levy supports the delivery of 46,000 meals to more than 380 elderly and disabled citizens of Athens County.
Athens County Emergency Medical Services — Issue 5
Issue 5 is a $1 million replacement levy for Athens County EMS that would rally about $900,000 annually.
The main purpose of this levy is to update the values of property taxes, fuel, supplies and vehicles, costs that have not been touched since 2011, Rick Callebs, the Chief of the Athens County EMS, said.
“It’s simple: We need this money to maintain the cost of doing business,” Callebs said.
The levy would cost a $100,000 home $35 annually.
Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities — Issue 6
Issue 6 is a $1.5 million continuing levy for the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The levy would provide $1.3 million per year and was approved by Athens County Commissioners in July, following the board’s realized $1.1 million deficit in December 2013.
The levy would cost a $100,000 Athens home $52.50 in taxes per year.
Athens City Bill of Rights — Issue 7
Should Issue 7 pass next week, hydraulic fracturing for natural gas would be banned in Athens city limits.
Activists tried to put the issue on last fall’s ballot, but the Athens County Board of Elections removed it on a technicality.
Four Ohio cities have similar ordinances in place, and Athens is one of four — including Kent — with such an issue on this fall’s ballot.
City of Athens Department of Arts, Parks and Recreation — Issue 8
Funding to renovate Athens city parks could stem from a proposed 0.1 percent income tax rate increase to Athens city residents, meant to benefit the city’s Arts, Parks and Recreation Department.
The levy would replace a current one, but would be flexible enough to cover maintenance expenses. The tax increase — brought to the ballot this summer by Athens City Council — would be instated for the next 20 years.
This article originally stated that the Athens County Public Libraries levy would raise $900,000 over the course of five years. it actually would raise that amount annually for five years.
