Athens County residents will vote on three levy issues in the upcoming 2025 General Election this fall.
Issue 1
Issue 1 on the ballot is a 5-year-long levy renewal that continues to provide support for the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities. ACBDD aids over 800 individuals with developmental disabilities across Athens County, offering programs that support people from birth through the end of life.
The levy helps fund programs such as Beacon School, which provides specialized education to individuals ages 6 to 21. According to ACBDD’s website, the tax also supports professional services including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and more.
Originally approved in 2010 and renewed in 2017, the levy costs $43.92 annually for a homeowner with a property valued at $100,000, ACBDD Superintendent Kevin Davis said.
Davis said ACBDD has continued to expand services without increasing its funding request.
“We serve over 800 people a year, and we're proud to say that this is a 46% increase over the last 10 years, and in that same time frame, our revenue has not increased,” Davis said. “We've been good stewards of public money.”
The levy generates $2.1 million annually, accounting for 20% of ACBDD’s total budget.
Davis emphasized how critical funding is for maintaining services.
“We can't do that without the help and support of the taxpayers in Athens County,” Davis said. “We've been very mindful of our budget. We haven't asked for an increase in over 20 years, and in order to be able to continue to serve people the way that we have and the way that we want to, this 20% of our annual budget is critical to be able to do that.”
Issue 2
Issue 2 is the Athens County 911 Sales and Use Tax renewal, which funds emergency communications operations in Athens County. If approved, it continues for another five years.
Previously, the levy helped fund the construction of a new facility that houses the Athens County Emergency Management Agency and the Athens County 911 Emergency Communications.
According to EMA Director Teresa Fouts-Imler, the levy has also funded upgrades to the communications system with advanced radio systems, GIS and GPS technology and computer-aided dispatch systems.
Fouts-Imler said the tax amounts to a small but vital cost for residents.
“0.25% of one cent,” Fouts-Imler said in an email. “Taxpayers will pay 2.5 cents for every $10 spent, or 25 cents for every $100 spent on taxable goods. This amount represents a modest but significant contribution to maintaining the safety and efficiency of our 9-1-1 services.”
Over the past five years, the levy has generated $10 million. However, the amount was not able to cover the total cost of construction for the 911 and EMA center due to an additional $2 million for technology and equipment costs.
“Given that communication equipment typically has a lifespan of five to seven years, it's crucial for us to secure this levy to effectively upgrade and maintain our technological assets,” Fouts-Imler said in an email. “This commitment is essential for delivering high-quality services and ensuring the safety of our community now and in the future.”
The levy is projected to generate $10.5 million over the next five years if renewed.
Issue 3
Issue 3 is a replacement levy providing continued funding for Athens County Emergency Medical Services.
The proposal replaces the existing 1-mill levy and adds an additional 0.5 mill, creating a total levy of 1.5 mills for five years.
If approved, the levy provides funding for emergency medical operations across Athens County throughout its 56 precincts.
All three issues will appear on Athens County ballots in the 2025 General Election on Nov. 4.
