Athens City Council met Monday night with city residents to extensively discuss and later pass an increase in the general income tax of 0.3% per annum to be placed on the ballot at the next primary election May 6, 2025.
Councilmember At-Large Jessica Thomas said for an annual income of $40,000, the increase would be $120 a year, and for a $70,000 income, the increase would be $210 a year.
Councilmember Alan Swank, 4th ward, who ultimately opposed the ordinance, gave pushback on the necessity of the increase at this point in time.
“Year to date, our income tax increases are running $532,000 ahead of the estimate for the year, with another month to go, which, if we continue at this pace, we will have raised in income taxes $581,329 more than the estimate,” Swank said.”
McCarey brought up potential public hearings or other specific opportunities outside of Council meetings to inform the community about the increase.
Mayor Steve Patterson supported the increase, highlighting the city's services that run on income tax, such as police enforcement, the fire department, and public transportation.
“You have to sit there now and think at this point in time, not a year from now, not two years from now, because it’s way too late at that point, are people appreciating the services that we have been able to provide?” Patterson said.
Aaron Thomas, a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals and owner of local business A-Roc Entertainment, spoke to the Council regarding the proposed placement of the increase on the primary ballot.
“When we say we only have a $120 increase for the city tax, let’s look at the four levies that just passed this year and last year and the last five years, and I look at my property tax has increased over $1,400,” Thomas said. “We are still one of the poorest areas in the entire state of Ohio.”
Thomas also raised concern about the OU student population’s participation in Athens elections and its effects on long-term residents.
“We put these types of things on the ballot for levies and for income taxes,” Thomas said. “People prey on the student population to vote for these. These students vote yes on things that do not affect them because most of them leave and then we’re here to pay the burden these levies pass.”
Thomas, who studied at Ohio University, stayed in Athens following his graduation and started his own business.
“I love Athens,” Thomas said. “I commit to Athens…I have to worry about as a person and many people my age, have to worry about how much longer can we live in an area that’s becoming unaffordable…We are out taxing our community.”
Melina Miller, who lives on the East side of Athens, explained it was difficult for her to vote for the recent levies on the November ballot.
“It’s against my nature to vote against them,” Miller said. “I feel burdened by all of this.”
Megan Weber, Digital Literacy Manager at Athens County Public Libraries, mentioned the recent misappropriation of city funds in a cybersecurity incident, costing around $720,000.
“I think you have lost the trust of the people of Athens, and I think that needs to be restored before you put something on the ballot and you ask us for more money,” Weber said.
An ordinance allowing the service safety director to expand up to $222,000 from the 2025 water fund/maintenance budget for a water line replacement on Factory Street also passed on third reading.
