ATHENS, Ohio — The proposed Athens income tax increase has passed by 10 votes, the Athens County Board of Elections has determined.
The board certified results of the May 5 primary Wednesday afternoon.
According to official election results, 993 votes were for the income tax and 983 were against. The increase will raise the city’s income tax rate from 1.95% to 2.15% and generate an estimated $1.9 million in additional funds for the city, starting in tax year 2027. The city last raised its income tax 10 years ago.
“It was razor-thin,” Athens Mayor Steve Patterson told the Independent. “It was wonderful to see the number of people that came out and voted in comparison to last year’s primary when we had on the ballot. It shows that people were certainly interested in the issue and other issues that were on the ballot, but it was nice to see it pass in the affirmative.”
Patterson said the city will continue to examine its finances and look at cost-saving measures. The city’s soft hiring freeze will likely remain in place through mid-2027, he added.
“I’m just very pleased with the outcome of the primary election as it pertains to the city,” Patterson said.
Voters cast 2,027 ballots that included the income tax this year; last year, only 1,492 ballots were cast. Nearly 60% of voters in the 2025 spring primary rejected Athens’ proposed 0.3% income tax increase.
Athens County Board of Elections Director Tony Brooks said the threshold for triggering an automatic recount would’ve been nine votes, based upon the total number of ballots cast.
The city could still request a recount, Brooks said, if it wanted to pay for one. Patterson said “a recount is not necessary.”
The board of elections will have a 2026 primary elections results audit starting at 9 a.m. June 1. The board of elections meets at 3:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month, at 15 S. Court St., Suite #130, Athens.
