Vote no on the Athens income tax increase

To the editor:

In case you missed it, our local government is asking us to pass a measure to substantially increase our income taxes, and I strongly urge my fellow citizens to vote no—not out of selfishness or cynicism, but out of genuine concern for the future of our city.

Before I explain my reasons, I want to applaud Mayor Patterson and others for engaging the community through press conferences and a public town hall. That kind of accessibility is commendable, and I hope it continues. But transparency is more than showing up. The numbers don’t justify this tax hike—and that’s why I’m voting no.

Since 2019, Athens’ general fund has grown by over $3.4 million — from just over $16 million to more than $20 million. That’s a 21% increase in five years. The city isn’t short on revenue — it’s simply spending more.

One red flag is the vague category labeled “Other Administration.” In 2016, this was about $595,000. Today, it’s nearly $1.8 million—a 200%+ increase. What exactly is included here? Ask city officials and you’re likely to get vague answers. But it’s clear that this shadowy line item is soaking up an ever-growing share of our tax dollars.

Then there’s the Mayor’s Office. Its budget jumped from $715,400 in 2016 to over $1 million today—a nearly 50% increase. Has the office’s size or responsibility increased that much? Most residents would say no.

Even Parking Enforcement costs have surged — from $563,000 to over $890,000 in eight years. That’s nearly a 60% increase for issuing tickets and monitoring meters — while small businesses struggle and basic services often lag.

Despite this administrative bloat, the Mayor suggested at a press event that if the measure doesn’t pass, we may have to cut police officers or firefighters. That’s not leadership. That’s fear-based politics—and it’s disappointing.

Monday night’s town hall also revealed something the public deserves to know. The Mayor stated that “we’re a very union-friendly government,” and the City Treasurer echoed that sentiment. Both cited “contractual obligations to the four different unions” as a major budget pressure.

There it is. The tax increase is needed not for emergencies or improvements, but to meet rising costs for salaries, healthcare, and benefits. Many of these increases are driven by union negotiations—and now the rest of us are being asked to cover the bill.

Yes, city workers deserve fair compensation. But many of them will also be hit by this tax increase, on top of their union dues. For some, any raise they receive could be offset by what they lose in higher taxes. That’s not a raise — it’s a wash.

We’ve all felt the effects of inflation. But when our family budgets are squeezed, we make hard choices. We cut expenses, delay trips, tighten the belt. We don’t go to our employers demanding more money without accountability. Why should the government operate any differently?

City leaders have a duty to be responsible stewards of our tax dollars. That means making hard decisions—not passing the burden to working residents. It’s insulting to ask for more money when it feels like little effort has been made to rein in spending at City Hall. Leadership means prioritizing wisely, not just spending more.

While the Mayor and Council are asking for this tax hike, they’re not solely to blame. We must also send a message to the powerful unions whose demands are driving costs ever higher. Their influence, and the resulting budget obligations, are central to why this increase is even on the table. If they go unchecked, this won’t be the last tax hike we face.

It’s not just voting no to a tax increase — it’s about demanding better. We expect our leaders to show fiscal discipline, explore alternative solutions, and deliver real transparency.

We all want Athens to thrive. But that doesn’t mean handing the government a blank check. It means expecting accountability. Standing up to unsustainable union demands. And making sure public money is spent with care.
Let’s make that clear at the ballot box.

Vote NO on the income tax increase — not because you don’t care about Athens, but because you do.

Gabriel Spiezo
Athens, Ohio