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Athens City Council members spar over ORCA membership ordinance
Jessica Thomas and Alan Swank traded barbs after Thomas proposed amending the ordinance to reduce the required budget reserve threshold.
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Mayor’s office proposes Athens income tax increase
The administration says the city needs to raise the income tax to 2.25% to offset lower income tax withholding from Ohio University.
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Athens City Council moves to pay ORCA dues
At its Nov. 4 meeting, council heard first reading of an ordinance that sets the city’s dues at a fraction of previous payments. Also discussed: the 2025 budget.
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Mayor’s zoning board reappointee resigns amid controversy (Updated)
Weeks of controversy have surrounded the mayor’s attempted reappointment of an Athens landlord to the Board of Zoning appeals.
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Business owner raises questions about Uptown street closures
Cool Digs owner Sara Quoia said that Uptown streets have been closed multiple times this year without council’s approval.
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Athens City Council OKs amended cannabis and tobacco zoning ordinance
Mayor Steve Patterson’s ‘sense of urgency’ spurred the council to amend and pass the ordinance in one sitting, rather than send the ordinance back to first reading.
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Capital budget dedicates over $7.2 million to Athens County (Updated)
The state has set aside funding for a variety of causes.
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Mayor’s trip to Ukraine cost around $2,000
The funds for Mayor Steve Patterson’s February visit to Athens’ sister city came from the mayor’s travel budget.
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Athens City Council authorizes mayor to join council of governments for solid waste
At Monday’s meeting, city council also revisited discussions on tobacco and cannabis rezoning and renewing the city’s membership in the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia.
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Athens on track to renew recreation council membership, pay later
At Monday’s meeting, city council also discussed an ordinance to join the new Southeast Ohio Recycling Terminal Council of Governments and the city’s partnership with the Strong Cities Network.
