News
Athens Income Tax, School District Levies Pass
By: Susan Tebben
Posted on:
Athens will see an income tax increase next year, after the measure passed in unofficial results from Tuesday night’s election.
The 0.2-percent income tax increase was approved by 67 percent (5,561) of voters, while 32 percent (2,691) voted against the measure.
The increase will bring the tax rate for city residents from 1.65 percent to 1.85 percent. For a resident with an annual salary of $30,000, taxes under the new tax rate would be $555.
Also passed during last night’s election was a 6.73-mill tax levy to renew operating funds for the Athens City School District passed easily in unofficial results from the Athens County ballots.
The “fixed sum” levy would give the school district $3.7 million, which will allow the district to continue under its current budget.
When the board voted to put the measure on the ballot, Athens Superintendent Tom Gibbs said the levy was imperative to allowing the school to continue.
“If this levy were not to pass, it would become a very difficult circumstance in the district,” Gibbs said in July.
Two school levies that did not get voter approval would have benefited Alexander Schools and Warren Local School District.
Alexander’s income tax levy that would have instituted a 1.5 percent earned income tax on residents of the district for the current operating expenses, was voted down in Athens County unofficial numbers.
The no-votes won out with 56 percent (2,491) of the vote. “Yes” votes registered 43.8 percent of the vote (1,945).
Warren’s levy was for 4.49-mill bond issues and 0.5-mill tax levy and was to be used for a new high school, elementary school, more square-footage for the middle school and improvements to the consolidated school campus.
Voters in Athens County’s precincts said “no” with 57 percent of the vote.
For our complete coverage of election results throughout the region go here.