-

·
Athens voters reject income tax hike proposal
Citing increased costs, the city asked voters to increase the municipal income tax from 1.95% to 2.25%. Voters resoundingly rejected that request.
-

·
Athens council discusses 2025 street paving schedule
Council committees also discussed completion of the Armory renovation project and learned about a new free fare initiative on Athens Public Transit.
-

·
City approves $600k for Joneswood repairs
The city also moved to pursue a lawsuit against a Woodward Avenue property owner who sought a retroactive permit for work in the city’s right-of-way.
-

·
City of Athens plans to sue property owner over unpermitted curb
The property owner built a large brick paver patio and curb in the front yard of its duplex rental without permission from the city’s Office of Code Enforcement and Community Development.
-

·
Athens City Council OKs street closures ordinance
The measure was delayed by a procedural error at a previous meeting and by concerns about the concurrence of Ohio Brew Week Fall Fest and OU’s home game against West Virginia.
-

·
Athens council takes dim view of retroactive building permit request
The out-of-town owner of a rental property wants the city to issue a special right-of-way permit for work that was completed last summer.
-

·
Athens City Council unanimously approves ‘safe haven’ resolution
Athens City Council on Monday unanimously approved resolutions regarding gender-affirming care in Athens, and tax-exempt municipal bonds.
-

·
Stimson Avenue bridge repairs skyrocket
New cost estimates nearly double Athens’ share of updating the bridge — which is now triple the amount estimated in 2023.
-

·
Pomeroy Landing opponents provide task force report
Athens City Council’s meeting on Monday, Feb. 3 was dominated by a public hearing on a request for a zoning change by a Columbus-based developer for a proposed affordable housing project on the city’ south side.
-

·
Athens mayor, council members clash over process for event street closures
At Monday’s Athens City Council committees meeting, Mayor Steve Patterson defended a proposal to make Athens City Council responsible for approving individual event applications, following complaints about difficulty with 2024 closure requests from an Uptown business owner.
