ATHENS, Ohio — Athens County voters approved every tax levy and local issue on their Nov. 5 ballots — including a citizen initiative to abolish the Nelsonville city charter.
Local issues included five countywide tax levies and 16 local levies. Of those, 14 were renewals, three were replacements, one was a replacement plus an increase, and two were new levies.
Most of the levies passed easily; the lowest margins were for the Athens County Public Libraries, which won 54% of votes cast, and a levy for state-mandated tuberculosis services, with 52%.
Nearly 71% of Nelsonville voters decided to scrap the city’s 20-year-old charter form of government — with executive power vested in a city manager hired by the city council — in favor of a mayor elected by residents.
The wide margin ensures the issue’s passage in spite of an error that omitted it from printed ballots used today. About 90 voters cast the incomplete ballots before they were replaced; those voters will have to resubmit the second page of their paper ballot in a provisional envelope. Those ballots will be counted with other provisional ballots cast today.
Even every one of those ballots voted against the measure, however, it wouldn’t be enough to overcome a 472-vote margin in favor of abolishing the charter. The city will hold new elections in 2025, with new officials taking office on Jan. 1, 2026.
The issue was added to the ballot Sept. 24 following a protracted court battle between the city council and its former president, Greg Smith.
Smith thanked those who petitioned for the issue and attorney Daniel Klos for litigating on behalf of the petitioners, himself and Vicki McDonald.
“[Klos] felt it was so important to the citizens of Nelsonville to choose the form of government they want,” Smith said.
Smith was pleased with the news and said he was “looking forward to a good election” in 2025, as voters will elect a mayor and law director.
“I hope it works out and we have really good people come forward and run for those offices,” Smith said.
Voters in Nelsonville also passed a renewal of a five-year, 2-mill tax for street, road and bridge repairs, with 59.06% of voters voting in favor. The levy is estimated to collect around $100,000 annually.
Countywide issues
Athens County Public Libraries levy
Athens County voters passed a combined levy replacement and increase for Athens County Public Libraries, with 53.99% voting in favor.
The measure included replacement of a 1.2-mill levy and an additional 0.3-mill levy, for a combined 1.5 mills. The levies will generate an estimated $2.175 million per year.
“Obviously we are relieved and extremely grateful to the people of Athens County; that they have once again put their trust in the library and, recognize the value that we bring to them and to our communities,” Director of Athens County Public Libraries Nick Tepe told The Indepedent.
“We are here to serve and we’re looking forward to continuing to serve our communities as we have.”
Athens County tuberculosis levy
Voters passed a renewal of a 0.3-mill levy to support the state-mandated TB control unit maintained by the Athens City-County Health Department, with 52.20% voting for it.
The five-year levy is estimated to generate $213,000 per year, with property owners expected to pay about $4 per $100,000 of appraised value.
Pepper explains why we have a TB care team
Athens County EMS levy
Voters passed a renewal of a five-year, 0.5-mill levy for Athens County Emergency Medical Services, with 69.76% of voters favoring the renewal.
The levy will generate about $557,000 per year, costing property owners $11 per $100,000 of appraised value.
Athens County senior services levy
The senior services levy renewal passed with 69.19% of voters voting in favor. The five-year, 0.25-mill levy will generate an estimated $278,000 per year. Property owners will pay an estimated $5 per $100,000 of appraised value per year.
Athens County Children Services levy
Voters passed renewal of a 10-year, 3-mill levy for Athens County Children Services, with 67.69% of voters voting in favor.
The current levy expires in 2025. The levy will generate an estimated $2.871 million per year, with property owners paying $60 per $100,000 of appraised value.
Municipal issues
City of Athens
Voters in Athens Ward 3, Precinct 1 passed a Sunday liquor sales option for the Union Street Market, at 26 W. Union St., with 93.04% of 115 voters voting in favor.
Albany
Albany residents voted on renewals of two five-year public services levies, one for police protection and the other for fire protection.
The 1-mill fire protection levy passed with 63.28% voting in favor. It is estimated to generate $14,000 annually from $24 per $100,000 of appraised property value.
The 1.5-mill levy for police protection services passed with 60.23% in favor. The levy will generate an estimated $21,000 annually, beginning in 2025. Property owners would pay around $36 per $100,000 of appraised value.
Amesville
Amesville residents approved/rejected renewal of a 5-year, 6.9-mill levy for current expenses, with 70.21% in favor
The levy is estimated to collect around $13,000 annually. The cost to property owners is $186 per $100,000 of appraised value.
Glouster
Voters in Glouster passed renewal of a 4-year, 3-mill levy for the Glouster Police Department, with 62.44% in favor.
The levy is estimated to generate $35,000 annually, with property owners paying around $80 per $100,000 of appraised value.
Townships
Alexander Township, excluding Albany
Voters in Alexander Township (excluding Albany) passed a replacement of a 1-mill, 5-year tax levy for fire services, with 55.94% in favor.
The levy is estimated to generate $117,000 annually at a cost of $35 per $100,000 of appraised property value.
Ames Township, excluding Amesville
In Ames Township, voters passed a renewal of a 5-year, 1-mill levy for road maintenance, with 73.47% in favor.
It is estimated to collect $21,00 annually, with property owners paying $22 per $100,000 of appraised value.
Athens Township, excluding city of Athens
Voters in Athens Township outside the city of Athens passed renewal of a 5-year, 1.5-mill levy for road maintenance, with 62.70% in favor
The levy will generate $228,000 annually at a cost of $38 for each $100,000 of appraised value.
Athens Township (areas covered by The Plains Volunteer Fire Department)
A 2.5-mill levy renewal for The Plains Volunteer Fire Department passed, with 67.49% voting in favor.
The five-year levy is estimated to collect $126,000 annually at a cost of $67 a year for each $100,000 of appraised value.
Canaan Township, including Athens areas
Canaan Township voters, including those in the city of Athens, approved a 1-mill replacement levy for fire services, with 68.01% in favor.
The levy will generate an estimated $85,000 annually for five years. Property owners will pay about $35 per $100,000 of appraised value.
Dover Township, including Chauncey
An additional 1-mill levy for fire department equipment in Dover Township passed, with 56.80% in favor.
The levy will generate $61,000 annually for four years at an annual cost of $35 for each $100,000 of appraised value.
Trimble Township, excluding villages
Trimble Township voters approved replacement of a five-year, 0.5-mill levy for fire protection, with 56.84% in favor. The levy is estimated to generate $13,000 annually at a cost of about $12 per $100,000 of appraised property value.
Waterloo Township
Replacement of a five-year, 1-mill levy for road maintenance passed in Waterloo Township with 57.05% in favor. The levy is estimated to generate $51,000 annually with property owners paying about $35 per $100,000 of appraised property value.
York Township
Ballots in York Township included two tax issues, with one affecting property owners in Nelsonville and Buchtel and the other excluding them.
Township voters including the villages approved renewal of a five-year, 1-mill levy for cemetery maintenance with 60.53% voting in favor. The levy is estimated to generate $111,000 annually, with property owners paying about $25 per $100,000 of appraised value.
Outside the villages, York Township voters approved renewal of a road maintenance levy, with 54.81% voting for. The five-year, 2-mill levy is estimated to generate around $117,000 annually, with property owners paying about $50 per $100,000 of appraised value.
Note: This story was updated after its initial publication on Nov. 6 at 1:24 p.m. to add comment from ACPL Director Nick Tepe.
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