All four local issues on the ballot in last night's election passed with more than 60 percent of the votes.
Three of the four local issues affect all of Athens County, but Issue 4 specifically pertains to street rehabilitation in the city of Athens.
Issue 4 is a 0.1 percent income tax renewal that will go toward street rehabilitation in the city, said Athens City Councilwoman Chris Knisely, D-at Large.
The issue passed with about 65 percent of the vote. About 2,500 people voted for the tax, and about 1,400 voted against it.
The funds from the tax will go to repairing the Richland Avenue Bridge over the Oxbow Stream, among other projects, Knisely said.
Issue 1, a levy to renew the tax for Athens County Children Services, passed with about 69 percent of the votes. About 11,000 people voted for the levy, and about 5,000 voted against it.
We are thrilled and will keep up the good work because the need is there
said Andrea Reik, director of Children Services.
The levy will renew a property tax that will affect all homeowners, Reik said, adding that the tax percentage will be calculated based on the value of a homeowner's property.
For example, a home valued at $100,000 will cost homeowners about $43 a year, she added.
If the tax were not renewed, prevention programs through Children Services and local school social workers would have been cut because of a lack of funds, Reik said.
Issue two, a replacement tax levy for the Athens County Beacon School, also passed with about 69 percent of the vote. About 11,000 people voted for the levy, and about 5,000 voted against it.
The levy will give funds to Beacon School and ATCO Adult Services, which both provide assistance to Athens County residents with developmental disabilities, said Eric Young, superintendent for the school.
The levy would have expired at the end of the year, Young said. The funds are needed for general operations of all schools and to decrease the number of residents on the waiting list, he added.
This tax also affects homeowners based on the value of their home, Young said. For example, the tax will cost homeowners whose homes are valued at $100,000 about $56 a year, he added.
We are very appreciative of the Athens County community Young said. They are very supportive of the programs and individuals we serve.
Issue 3, a renewal of a property tax that will give money to the Emergency Medical Services in Athens County, also passed in last night's election.
The levy passed with about 72 percent of the vote. About 11,500 people voted for the levy, and about 4,500 voted against it.
We are very happy about the passage (of the levy) Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason said. We are looking forward to making EMS the best available to Athens.
The money raised through property taxes will contribute to running the new Athens County EMS and maintaining the five EMS stations in the county, Eliason said.
Although all four issues passed, the official election results will not be available until Nov. 16.
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Marika Lee
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