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Athens County: Athens City School District Levy Passes, Alexander Goes Down Again

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ATHENS — Athens City Schools will see new construction as their bond issue and levy won Tuesday night in unofficial results.

With 52 percent of voters expressing their support for the 5.88 mill bond issue and 0.5 mill levy, the Athens school district will go forward with plans to rebuild and rearrange the schools.

“This election sets the course for significant change and improvement for our district,” Superintendent Tom Gibbs wrote in a news release Tuesday night. “As a result of this funding, our students will be assured state of the art 21st Century facilities for many years to come.”

Alexander will again be searching for solutions as their 1 percent operating levy went down with 53 percent of the vote. This makes the fifth time the school district has lost an attempt to increase its property tax. It last attempted the operating levy in the May primary of this year.

In other races in Athens County, Lenny Eliason will retain his seat on the County Commissioners, winning 65 percent of the votes. Incumbent Jill Thompson remains the county auditor with 51 percent of the vote over Democratic challenger Dave Owen. County Treasurer Ric Wasserman kept his seat with 61 percent over challenger Republican Gary Van Meter.

The tax levy supporting the Athens County Emergency Medical Services passed with 72 percent of the vote, and the Athens City County Health Department tax levy was approved by 66 percent of voters.

Current expenses levies in Amesville, Buchtel and Jacksonville both passed easily.