If the City Administration wants the public to trust them with more of our hard-earned money, they might start by answering their emails.
Over the past year, I have closely followed the saga of the proposed tax increases. I have attended city council meetings, watched the recordings of those I couldn’t attend, and showed up to town hall discussions that were, sadly, woefully under-attended. At our most recent town hall, the administration encouraged us to reach out directly with questions, citing a desire to be as “transparent and open” as possible.
Taking them at their word, I emailed the Mayor and the administration on April 1st. Perhaps they thought my request for transparency was an April Fool’s joke, because weeks later, I have yet to receive a single response. So much for the willingness to communicate.
I have made no secret of my opposition to these unnecessary increases. I’ve discussed it with neighbors and colleagues, as well as the City Administration and City Council, asking questions for clarification that go unanswered while laying out why this measure isn’t needed. Now, just weeks before the vote, the Mayor has unintentionally strengthened the case against it.
At Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Patterson offered a new “carrot” to sway voters: the possible return of Saturday public transit service. He stated that if—and only if—the tax increase passes, he would “commit” to bringing back Saturday service, potentially as late as 2027 or 2028.
Let’s take a closer look at that.
For two years, the narrative has been one of dire financial straits. We’ve been warned of a “serious imbalance” between revenue and expenses and told that existing services will “absolutely be affected” if taxes aren’t raised. Yet, the conversation has suddenly shifted from survival to expansion.
This contradiction is impossible to ignore. If the situation is as catastrophic as described, why are we talking about restoring services that were previously deemed expendable? If there is enough “flexibility” to fund Saturday transit, it suggests the financial picture is nowhere near as strained as we’ve been led to believe.
Furthermore, we are being asked for a permanent tax increase today in exchange for a speculative promise three years down the line. Important questions remain unanswered: Why was Saturday service cut in the first place? Was it low ridership or high costs? What has changed to make it a viable investment now?
The answer? Nothing—other than a desperate attempt at bribery for votes. I am not sure if it is more shameful or disappointing to see the Mayor take this approach. Tying a specific service—with minimal details—to a tax measure at the eleventh hour feels less like careful civic planning and more like a last-minute appeal to our wallets. It is a strategy that is both condescending and disrespectful to the taxpayers being asked to foot the bill.
Athens residents deserve better than performative gestures and the dismissive silence of our local government. We should expect clarity and accountability—especially when our money is on the line. If the administration doesn’t think we’re worth responding to in more meaningful ways, let’s answer them at the ballot box. On May 5th, send a clear message: demand better, and vote no.